Free offers held legitimate by TRAI, Jio informs Delhi HC

Reliance jio has informed the Delhi High Court that Telecom Regulator Authority of India (TRAI) has held that its free offers to consumers was perfectly legitimate.

The Delhi High Court had heard a complaint filed by Vodafone India in which the company said that Jio had "blatantly violated" TRAI's tariff orders, directions and regulations.

Vodafone has also said that TRAI has failed to forbid the Jio from violating the tariff orders.

However, the court listed this issue on February 21 and it was also informed that Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) will take this issue on February 20.

Recently, Bharti Airtel and Idea have moved to TDSAT and alleged that the telecom regulator TRAI has been a mute spectator in the matter.

Airtel also said that "Any kind of free services has a negative impact on the revenue and margins of the industry", adding that the free services has given rise to "unfair competition."

There is no doubt that Jio's 4G services have started a price war among other telecom service providers by offering free data and free "voice for life" to attract customers.