Jio, Airtel, Vi, BSNL ‘Allowed’ To Raise Tariff By TRAI? New Order Will Stop Discounts! (Full Details)

As per the latest development, the TRAI has rolled out a major tariff order for the telcos. 

Basically, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has directed telecom operators against discrimination between subscribers of the same class in tariff offers.

Ban On Deferential Tariffs 

Now, telcos can’t offer differential tariffs via their commercial partners, as per the regulator’s order. 

In simple words, the telcos can only offer tariffs that have been reported to the authorities, sector regulator said. 

Basically, offering anything else through the commercial partners is discriminatory and “contravene” the current rules set around pricing by the regulator.

This move would make it difficult for telcos to offer highly discounted segmented tariffs.

Transparency Is The Key 

Apart from this, the regulator has also made it clear that differential pricing for subscribers porting out from a rival firm would not be allowed.

Under this regulation, the telecom operators cannot offer anything that has not been reported to the regulator. 

It seems that the sector regulator now wants everything to be transparent.

That’s why, if the operators offer tariffs that are not reported then it would be unfair to the customers.

Need For New Regulation

So far, the telcos have been complaining against each other in this regard. 

Unfortunately, not just one but all the private telecom operators, including Vodafone Idea, Reliance Jio, and Bharti Airtel that have been doing this.

Recently, both Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio are preparing to launch commercial offers very aggressively to attract the customers of Vodafone Idea.  

As expected, Vodafone Idea customers have already started to migrate to the networks of Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio according to Jefferies.

Control With Sector Regulator

The order from TRAI seems to be very justified and expected to ensure transparency in the sector. 

Now, these telcos will have to be answerable to the sector regulator, if they offer any differential tariffs to attract customers through the mobile number portability (MNP) route now.

Also, they can not offer differential tariffs through third-party applications under this regulation.

In addition to that, they can’t form any commercial partnership to offer such tariffs to attract new customers. 

It seems to be the perfect timing for this order from the TRAI as it is something that Vodafone Idea will appreciate the most.

In the meantime, Vodafone Idea continues to wait for the relief package from the government.