According to official sources, Reliance Jio wrote to the sector regulator Trai complaining that Vodafone Idea has a new tariff structure that restricts entry-level customers from its network.
Vodafone Idea VIL raised mobile services and data rates by 18 -- 25 per cent in November.
Under the new tariff structure, VIL increased the entry level plan with 28 days validity to Rs 99 from Rs 75, but the entry level plan is not bundled with SMS service.
The source said that VIL's new tariff restricts people opting for low value plans from porting their mobile number, as outgoing SMS facility is not available in entry level plans of VIL.
According to Jio's complaint, VIL is providing SMS service in plans priced at Rs 179 and above.
Email queries sent to VIL and Jio did not elicit any reply.
The new VIL tariff was effective on the day that NGO Telecom Watchdog filed a complaint before Trai on the same issue.
Vodafone Idea has increased the tariff plan across the packages. Our immediate concern is about their step in which they moved SMS services to a higher tariff bracket i.e. Minimum package is Rs 179. It is necessary to have a porting out SMS service. The NGO said if a consumer wants to port out, he must first pay Rs 179 to get the tariff plan with SMS service.
The move of VIL is intended to stop consumers from moving to other telecom networks for better services, according to it.
Such action taken by Vodafone Idea has not been noticed until Trai has not taken any action to protect the interests of consumers, and we are very surprised to see that such action by Vodafone Idea has gone unnoticed. The SMS services should be available in the lowest tariff plan, according to Telecom Watchdog.