Airtel, Vodafone, and Idea to Face CCI Probe Following Jio’s Complaint

Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India, and Idea Cellular will face a probe by the investigation arm of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for allegedly trying to block the entry of Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio, following a complaint filed against these incumbents and their GSM body Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).

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According to a PTI report, the CCI would also examine the overall conduct of the COAI.

The report said that cases where the CCI finds prima-facie evidence of competition norm’s violations are referred to the DG – the investigation arm – for a detailed probe.

COAI’s director general Rajan S Mathews, in a statement, “Though we have not seen the order as it has not been published yet, we are disappointed at the apparent news (if true), that the CCI has decided to go forward with an investigation into the complaint filed by Reliance Jio. In the interim, the matter is also before the High Court and TDSAT, and we also await the conclusions from these judicial bodies. We believe COAI and its members will be fully vindicated in the matter and truth will prevail.”

COAI represents Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India, Idea Cellular, and other smaller GSM telcos like Aircel and Telenor. Reliance Jio is also a member of the body.

Mathews said that the GSM telco body “always has and will continue to work with all its members and the government towards a facilitative policy and regulatory ecosystem for a stable long – term predictable policy environment which facilitates, affordability, growth, innovation and investments.”