1 hr ago
TRAI Examines Airtel, Jio Allegations Against Vodafone Idea
Mobile number portability lets people change phone companies without changing their phone numbers.
Airtel and Jio say Vodafone Idea may have used improper methods to attract customers.
They claim some callers pretended to work for other phone companies.
These callers allegedly warned people about possible price or plan changes and encouraged them to move to Vodafone Idea.
Airtel and Jio also say some customers had trouble sending the SMS needed to get a porting code.
That code is needed to move a number to another network.
They have asked the regulator to investigate and require a report.
Vodafone Idea denies wrongdoing and says it follows the law.
TRAI Chairman AK Lahoti said the regulator will examine the complaints.
TRAI Chairman AK Lahoti said the regulator will examine concerns raised by Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio.
The allegations concern customer acquisition through mobile number portability, or MNP.
Airtel and Jio allege that people posing as rival telecom executives contacted customers about possible tariff or plan changes and encouraged them to switch to Vodafone Idea.
The operators also allege that Vodafone Idea restricted SMS messages to 1900 needed to generate a Unique Porting Code in several circles.
Vodafone Idea said it supports fair competition and conducts its business in compliance with the law.
- Who
- Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio raised concerns about Vodafone Idea; the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is examining them.
- What
- The complaints allege mobile number portability malpractices, including misleading customer outreach and restrictions on SMS messages used to obtain Unique Porting Codes.
- Where
- The alleged restrictions were reported in several telecom circles in India.
- When
- TRAI Chairman AK Lahoti discussed the matter on Monday; the articles do not specify the date.
- Why
- Airtel and Jio want TRAI to investigate whether Vodafone Idea, its sales associates, or channel partners violated MNP-related directions.
Airtel and Jio’s allegations
Vodafone Idea’s response
Customer acquisition
Airtel and Jio’s allegations
They allege that Vi, its sales associates, or channel partners violated TRAI directions while acquiring customers through MNP, including contacting customers while claiming to represent other telecom companies.
Vodafone Idea’s response
Vi said it believes in fair competition, the strength of its products, and the value it delivers to customers, and that it conducts its business in compliance with the law.
Porting-code SMS messages
Airtel and Jio’s allegations
They allege that Vi restricted SMS messages to 1900 in several circles, delaying or preventing customers from obtaining the Unique Porting Code required to switch networks.
Vodafone Idea’s response
Vi did not specifically address the SMS restriction allegations in the quoted response.
Promotional offers
Airtel and Jio’s allegations
They reportedly allege that Vi promoted discounted postpaid plans to customers seeking to switch networks through MNP.
Vodafone Idea’s response
Vi did not specifically respond to the discounted-postpaid-plan allegation in the quoted response.
Key facts
- Regulator
- Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
- TRAI chairman
- AK Lahoti
- Operators raising concerns
- Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio
- Operator facing allegations
- Vodafone Idea (Vi)
- Relevant process
- Mobile number portability, which allows customers to change operators while keeping their number
- Porting code method
- Customers send an SMS to 1900 to generate a Unique Porting Code
- Requested action
- Airtel and Jio asked TRAI to direct Vi to investigate and submit a report
Quotes
Vodafone Idea spokesperson
Spokesperson for Vodafone Idea
“At Vi, we believe in fair competition, strength of our products and the value we deliver to our customers. At all times, we conduct our business in compliance with the law”
livemint.com
“When we get representation from any operator, we look into it...they (telcos) have expressed some concerns against each other. We will examine whatever has come,”
livemint.com
Sources
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