TDSAT, Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal on 17 July, announced that Vodafone has the right to get new customers for its premium tariff plans. The TDSAT said, “the direction issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to suspend the premium plans lacked prima facie reasons.”
Vodafone Idea has approached TDSAT challenging Trai notice that asked it along with Bharti Airtel to stop offering the premium plans to customers citing discrimination to other customers after Reliance Jio had compliant against the premium plans.
Trai has ordered Vodafone Idea to stop its RedX plan for its high-end post-paid customers which TDSAT in its judgement has now declared non-valid, giving relief to the telecom company. Though TDSAT has asked Vodafone Idea to respond to a Trai questionnaire by July 22 referring to Trai’s concern over transparency issue which may have misled its consumers into subscribing various tariff plans.
TDSAT said, “The only justification that suspension (of the premium plans) would facilitate detailed examination by Trai is found to be devoid of any merit. During submissions also, it has not been shown that for detailed examination by Trai it is necessary to withhold/suspend the Vodafone RedX offer forthwith”.
It added, “Trai can now proceed with the inquiry and pass final orders in accordance with law at the earliest after ensuring that requirements of natural justice are satisfied and the appellant is given the opportunity to explain any alleged contravention of extant directions of the Authority”.