Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on 11th July, 2020 had ordered Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel to withhold their premium tariff plans RedX Premium and Platinum Plan. Vodafone Idea on 13th July, 2020 filed an application challenging this Order by TRAI. This application was filed before Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) on the grounds that the said Order was passed with undue haste without giving them an opportunity to respond on matter as important as tariff. Vodafone believes that there was no tariff regulation violation in the plan.
Vodafone and Airtel promised higher speed for those who opt for this plan, compelling TRAI to question if they were providing better quality network to a selected few at the cost of the network quality of the others. TRAI also sought an answer on how these network providers were protecting the interests of those who chose not to opt for this premium plan. TRAI further asked if the network providers were prioritizing the high-paying customers over the others by providing a higher speed network to them than the others.
Vodafone claimed to have not been given an opportunity to respond in this matter and was shocked to see the TRAI pass such an Order blocking their plan. The company further clarified that the RedX plan was filed before TRAI in November last year and was later modified. The modified plan was again filed in May this year. The company stated that the plan had been in existence for public access for over 8 months now and it had many customers for the same plan and thus TRAI couldn’t just block the plan without giving them an opportunity to clarify. RedX plan from Vodafone promised 50% faster internet service, international roaming services, unlimited data, premium customer service, access to premium lounge at airports, special offers on mobile phones, hotels, and numerous other benefits.
