Four cases registered with CCI against telcos

One case has been registered by Reliance Jio against other operators and two cases have been registered against Jio

Competition Commission of India (CCI) has registered four cases against telecom companies, including one by Reliance Jio against other operators and two against the Mukesh Ambani-led group firm itself, for alleged violation of competition laws.

Among others, the complaints about unfair competitive practices and abuse of dominance have also been filed against regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Department of Telecommunications (DoT), industry body Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), as also against operators Bharti Airtel, Idea, Vodafone India, Aircel, Videocon Telecommunications, Telenor and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

Giving details of these complaints, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Arjun Ram Mehgwal informed Parliament, "The Competition Commission of India has registered four cases against cellular service providers alleging Section 3 and 4 of the Competition Act."

While Section 3 of the Competition Act pertains to anti-competitive practices, Section 4 relates to abuse of dominant position.

The minister was replying to a query on whether CCI has received complaints of unfair competition and monopoly practised by the cellular service providers against certain private cellular service providers.

"Under the provisions of the Competition Act, 2002, the CCI is mandated, inter-alia, to impose penalties and/ or issue cease and desist orders in cases of unethical practices such as anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominance," he said.