close_game
close_game

Reliance Jio hits back after Airtel’s complain to CCI

Hindustan Times | BySuchetana Ray and Sunny Sen, New Delhi
Feb 06, 2017 01:36 PM IST

Sunil Bharti Mittal’s Airtel has complained to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) against Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio for predatory pricing that could lead to anti-competitive behaviour.

Reliance Jio has hit out against Airtel complaint to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) against Mukesh Ambani’s company, saying that it is latter tactic to divert attention from its own violations of telecom norms.

A Reliance employee demonstrates Jio LYF phone at their headquarters on the outskirts of Mumbai.(REUTERS)
A Reliance employee demonstrates Jio LYF phone at their headquarters on the outskirts of Mumbai.(REUTERS)

“This latest salvo by Airtel is a clear ploy to divert attention from its own violation of licensing conditions by having denied adequate POIs to Jio and the already announced censure proceedings by the TRAI against them..” said a Jio spokesperson.

Sunil Bharti Mittal’s Airtel has complained to the CCI against Reliance Jio for predatory pricing that could lead to anti-competitive behaviour.

The move comes around two months after Jio Infocomm moved CCI accusing the three incumbent operators (Vodafone, Idea and Bharti) alleging that they are abusing their dominant market power and formed a cartel to deny it points of interconnect.

Bharti Airtel’s complaint was filed on February 2, the CCI has asked its investigation department to look into the matter and see if there’s any merit in the case.

This move signals the raging battle between the telecomm operators of India since the entry of Reliance Jio in 2016 disrupted the system with its deep discounts on data use.

Bharti and Idea Cellular are already in the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal alleging that sector regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has been a mute spectator to violations of norms by Jio. The next date for hearing on the matter is February 6.

In its complaint against Jio in CCI, Bharti has said the company through Mukesh Ambanis’s company has created a pan-India telecom network and distribution infrastructure even before its commercial launch and is now providing free voice and data services.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Sunday, February 09, 2025
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On