Reliance Jio explains how 'Happy New Year Offer' is different from the 'Welcome Offer'

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio has told telecom regulator TRAI that its latest voice and data offer does not violate any of the existing norms that require promotional offers to be limited to 90 days.

Replying to clarification sought by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on it extending the free call and data offer till 31 March after the promotional 90-day period expired on 4 December, Jio sent a detailed note explaining how its 'Happy New Year Offer' was different from the inaugural offer and does not qualify to be termed as predatory.

Sources said the company explained in detail how the new offer cannot be termed as extension of the promotional offer as it was different from the inaugural offer launched in early September.

The response was to TRAI's letter dated 20 December, in which the regulator asked the company why its 'Happy New Year offer' should not be seen as "violation" of regulatory guidelines and also why the offer of free data under the promotional scheme should not be treated as "predatory".

Jio has been maintaining that the latest Happy New Year offer is substantively different from the Jio Welcome Offer (that commenced on 5 September) as 4GB of free data per day was being provided under the initial offer, while the same was capped at 1GB (under Fair Usage Policy) in the new offer. Jio is believed to have also emphasised that tariff plans have multiple components and if even a single component is altered, it cannot be construed as the same offer or its extension.

Also, they contend, that in the first offer there was no option of renewal or payment after the 4GB limit was exhausted, but in the new offer, one can recharge both data and the promised speed. In terms of market dominance, Reliance Jio is six percent of the installations in the country whereas the Competition Commission of India (CCI) norms specify 30% threshold to trigger the 'misuse of market dominance' clause.

-PTI