Telecom operator Reliance Jio charges that industry peers Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL) are carrying out a “vicious and divisive campaign” against it and making ludicrous claims that migrating Jio mobile numbers to their networks will be an act of support for the protests of farmers.
In a letter to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), the country’s largest telecom operator sought strict action against the two companies and alleged that such actions by rival companies could negatively impact the safety and security of the employees of Jio.
Both Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea have called the complaint “baseless” in response to allegations by Jio and denied the charges. Reliance Jio also claimed that it had also previously written to Trai about Airtel and VIL’s “unethical and anti-competitive mobile number portability campaign” to capitalize on protests from farmers.
“We submit that Airtel and VIL remain unabated in pursuing this vicious and divisive campaign through its employees, agents, and retailers. They are inciting the public by making preposterous claims that migrating Jio mobile subscribers to their networks would be an act of support to farmers” protests,” Jio said in its latest letter.
At various border points in Delhi, thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, are protesting against the latest agricultural laws enacted at the Parliament’s Monsoon Session.
Bharti Airtel in a letter to Trai said, “We wish to emphatically deny this baseless charge…Despite being provoked by some competitors who we know will go to any length to make baseless allegations, adopt bullying tactics and use intimidatory behaviour. We have always conducted our business with character and transparency something that we are deeply proud of and known for.”
Claims by Jio
“We also reiterate that such illegal actions with blatant use of sales teams and channel partners to instigate feelings against RJIL can severely jeopardise safety and security of our personnel as well as vital network and business installation of the ground,” Jio said.
