Being Pro-Consumer Does Not Mean Anti-Industry: Trai Chief

Trai Chairman R S Sharma, whose tenure saw major, at times controversial, decisions on issues like termination charge and predatory pricing, today said he is of the firm belief that being pro-consumer does not mean one is anti-industry. The Trai Act itself calls for ensuring consumer protection and growth of the sector in equal measure, Sharma said. “Some people take the line that if you are pro-consumer, you are anti-industry… that is far from the truth. Pro-consumer does not mean anti-industry. It is not a zero-sum game, one should be conscious of that,” Sharma told PTI.

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The Trai Act mandates that the regulator has to ensure fair competition, consumer protection and growth of the industry, said Sharma who is set to complete his term as Trai chief on Thursday.

In the past, decisions by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), ranging from slashing of call-connect charges to its stance on the provision of points of interconnect (sought by Reliance Jio at the start of its services), and predatory pricing rules have come under the industry’s attack.

Earlier this year, Trai’s predatory pricing norms sparked-off a furore as old telecom operators and industry association criticised the new rules.

More recently, industry body COAI raised a red flag over Trai’s new regulations on curbing pesky calls and messages, saying tailoring of systems, and use of blockchain technology will involve Rs 200-400 crore investment and 18 months for the rollout, at a time when the sector is financially-stressed.