Trai seeks Airtel's reply over complaints of non-reporting, discriminatory tariffs

Telecom regulator Trai has sought a reply from Bharti Airtel over complaints that the leading operator allegedly offered discriminatory tariffs and not reported these to the authority.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) in a letter today asked Bharti Airtel to explain within 10 days whether the company has indeed offered the tariff plans under question to consumers and in how many service areas.

In the letter, seen by PTI, Trai has also sought details of service area wise launch dates for these tariffs.

Trai in amendments to the Telecommunication Tariff order last month barred telecom operators from offering predatory and discriminatory rates for telecom services.

"No service provider shall, in any manner, discriminate between subscribers of the same class and such classification of the subscribers shall not be arbitrary," as per the rules.

Reliance Jio Infocomm had filed a complaint with Trai against Bharti Airtel alleging that the telecom major violated tariff rules by issuing misleading offers and arbitrarily discriminating among its own customers subscribing to the same plan.

When contacted, Airtel spokesperson said, "Airtel confirmed that it has received the notice. The company said that the matter is sub-judice and pending in the TDSAT and it will submit its reply as per timelines."