Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal on Thursday said Reliance Jio’s free offer is hitting the sector adversely and has created unfair competition in the market.
“There is a problem. Any big thing if given for free or at less price becomes very difficult to compete with. It is unfair competition which is being discussed through you (media) and in courts,” Mittal said in response to the impact of Reliance Jio's free 4G service on Bharti Airtel.
Airtel has filed petition against extension of Reliance Jio free 4G service beyond December.
In its 25-page petition before the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), Airtel had asked the quasi-judicial body to direct Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to ensure Jio does not provide its free voice and data plan beyond 3 December.
In the petition, Airtel had alleged that the TRAI in its decision dated 20 October, had “erroneously” concluded that since Jio's promotional offer of free services was only valid till 3 December, it is consistent with the direction for 90 days.
But on 5 December, Jio announced extension of free services until 31 March with its ‘Happy New Year Offer’.
The free offer is creating a problem in the sector. Ultimately, there should be 4-5 companies in this country for competition. If you give anything for free, then that creates a problem for which we are at the doorstep of TDSAT and TRAI is examining it.Sunil Bharti Mittal
(With inputs from PTI)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)