In a major relief to what may stop free voice and data plans from telecom operators, the Indian telecom watchdog Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has reportedly rejected the proposal by incumbent telecom operators to fix a floor price for voice and data services.
TRAI Chairman R.S. Sharma said “We had a detailed discussion (with industry stakeholders) for two hours. Fixing a floor price was not a workable idea. Prices will continue under the principles of forbearance like now,”.
TRAI rejects floor price Voice and Data services
- Indian telecom regulator turned down the proposal to fix a minimum price or floor price for voice and data services.
- The proposal was raised by incumbent telecom operator Idea Cellular.
- Reliance Jio opposed the proposal and made a demand for creating an open-market competition.
Earlier, incumbent telecom operators including Idea Cellular, Airtel and Vodafone India has approached the telecom regulator to set a floor price for voice and data services. The demand if approved may have put end to all free voice and data plans. It was mainly focused on the new entrant in the Indian telecom sector Reliance Jio who has disturbed the sector with its free voice calls and cheap data plans. Reliance Jio, however, opposed the proposal and it seems the operator has won the battle for today.