Telcos seek floor price in data tariffs

Incumbent telecom carriers Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio have asked the sector regulator TRAI to set up floor pricing for data services as early as possible while asking for continuation of forbearance for voice services.

In a letter to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Chairman, COAI Director General Rajan Mathews said tariff correction in the current level of fierce competition is not possible by any service provider voluntarily and thus the only option available is prescription of a minimum tariff for mobile data service by the Authority.

At the same time TRAI would be aware that unlike mobile data, voice services are considered as essential services by the people mainly at the bottom of the pyramid and therefore would need to be continued under the present forbearance regime.