The telecom regulator,TRAI has asked Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea to put on hold specific plans that promised faster speeds to certain priority users, as it questioned whether the network preference came at the cost of deterioration of services for other subscribers.
As per the information, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has asked the two operators to withhold the specific plan for the interim period, and questioned them about their individual plans that promised faster speeds to certain priority users.
The regulator has asked if priority to high-paying customers in those specific plans came at the cost of service deterioration for other subscribers. It has asked the operators how they are protecting the interest of other general subscribers.
The Bharti Airtel had announced last Monday that it would give preference to platinum mobile customers, who pay Rs 499 and above per month for postpaid connection, on its 4G network.
The platinum customers will get better 4G speed on the Airtel network compared to other customers.
TRAI has given Airtel seven days to respond to its questions, a person privy to the development said.
In the case of Vodafone Idea, the company had launched a postpaid plan, REDX, promising up to 50 per cent faster data speeds, besides other benefits and privileges.
A Vodafone Idea spokesperson said that Vodafone RedX plan offers a range of benefits including unlimited data, calls, premium content, international roaming pack etc. for our valued postpaid customers who want more.
The company source said that the RedX plan was filed with TRAI in November and further modifications to the plan were, once again, duly filed in May. The plan has been in the market for last eight months and customers are already on-boarded.
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