Know why Reliance Jio's Happy New Year Offer of free calls, data may be scrapped soon

Nee Delhi: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), on Friday, asked sector regulator Trai to decide on Reliance Jio's 4G service of free calls and data Happy New Year Offers within "reasonable time".

 A TDSAT bench, comprising members B B Srivastava and A K Bhargava, heard arguments of both sides -- Airtel and Trai -- and posted the matter on February 1 for the next hearing.

Bharti Airtel on December 22, had moved TDSAT against TRAI allowingReliance Jio to continue free promotional offer beyond stipulated 90 days, and had charged the regulator of being a "mute spectator" to violations. While Trai, in its defence, had sought 10 more days to take a decision on the legality of Jio's Happy New Offer

The telecom operator also requested the TDSAT to direct TRAI to direct that Jio's free calls and data services do not extend beyond 3 December.

In the petition, Airtel had alleged that Trai in its decision dated October 20 "erroneously" concluded that since Jio's promotional offer of free services was only valid till December 3, it is consistent with the direction for 90 days.