Bharti Airtel has filed an application in telecom tribunal TDSAT objecting to the alleged delays by Reliance Jio while withdrawing the 3-month complimentary Jio Summer Surprise offer as was directed by TRAI.
The interim application by Airtel pertains to the Jio Summer Surprise offer of Reliance Jio under which it was giving free data and voice under Rs. 303 plan.
Airtel has also objected to the continuation of Jio Summer Surprise offer's benefits for those who had already subscribed to the said offer before it was withdrawn.
When contacted, Bharti Airtel declined to comment on its complaint against Jio Summer Surprise offer.
The matter was heard briefly Thursday in the Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT). The next hearing will be on April 20, along with a main petition, in which Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular have challenged a TRAI order that allowed free 4G service offers of Reliance Jio beyond the stipulated 90 days.
Reliance Jio Hearing on Free Services Deferred by TDSAT to April 20
On April 6, TRAI had asked Reliance Jio to withdraw its contentious 3-month 'complimentary' Jio Summer Surprise offer of unlimited data usage and free calls on payment of a minimum Rs. 303, saying it was not in accordance with the regulatory framework.
TRAI had said that Reliance Jio will be required to roll back the 3-month complimentary offer in "shortest possible time" but clarified that customers who had already subscribed to the Jio Summer Surprise offer could avail the benefits till June-end.
Soon after, telecom operator Vodafone approached TRAI alleging that Reliance Jio was inviting last minute subscriptions to the Jio Summer Surprise offer despite the regulator finding it in violation of norms.
Reliance Jio Offers: A Timeline of Free Jio Services Since Launch, and Their Impact
Reliance Jio, on April 11, unveiled a new plan of 1GB 4G data daily for 3 months at Rs. 309 for its Prime members, but Airtel had dubbed it as being a case of "old wine in a new bottle".
The same day, Reliance Jio said it has "fully withdrawn" the Jio Summer Surprise offer following the advice of the telecom regulator.
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