TDSAT Stays Trai Order Halting Vodafone Idea Premium Plan

The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) on Friday stayed the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) order that required the telecom operators to withhold the premium plans promising “priority” access. The TDSAT said that the Trai directive issued to both Vodafone and Bharti Airtel “lacks even prima facie reasons” as Trai said that the suspension of plans would facilitate detailed examination. The decision by TDSAT paves way for Vodafone Idea to continue its RedX plan that was introduced in November, 2019. However, TDSAT highlighted that its order was only possible as the operator had modified its plan in May, 2020.

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Vodafone Idea RedX Plan Modification Becomes Major Factor

In November, 2019, Vodafone Idea introduced its RedX premium plan that offered numerous benefits including 50% higher data speed as compared to other postpaid plans. However, the operator in May revised its plan by introducing several commercial policy restrictions. While Vodafone Idea continues to offer the benefits, the operator in May revised the higher data speed phrase to “priority 4G network” with “faster data speeds” as compared to its other plans.

Similarly, Airtel introduced its own version of the postpaid plan by launching Platinum tier in July. Airtel said that its postpaid users on Rs 499 plan and above would be classified as Platinum users with promise of “faster 4G speeds through network preference.”

It was reported that the telecom regulator in identical letters to Vodafone Idea and Airtel asked to “withhold, with immediate effect and until further orders” the two plans.” The regulator is said to have highlighted that such schemes could lower the quality of mobile services for those users who haven’t opted for premium plans.