TRAI Investigating Jio, Airtel Broadband Plans For Tariff, Broadcast Rules Violation: Report

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is looking into Reliance Jio and Airtel’s fixed line broadband plans for possible tariff and broadcast rules violations, according to a leading media house report. 

Recently, Airtel had urged TRAI to block the JioFiber Backup plans under the premise that they were disturbing the level playing field in the DTH digital TV space, hurt consumer interests and affected competition. In response, Jio had asked TRAI to warn Airtel to not file frivolous complaints.

In its complaint, Airtel said Jio was allowing broadcasting of live TV and over-the-top (OTT) apps which is against broadcasting and downlinking rules. In response, Jio said it hadn’t violated any broadcasting or telecom rules and added that the complaint was intended to target the telco.

Meanwhile, Tata Play has alleged both Jio and Airtel for going for predatory pricing by bundling live TV channels and OTT apps with broadband offers.