Concept of interconnect usage charge is outdated: Jio

Interconnect usage charge (IUC) is an obsolete concept which relates to 2G networks, and telecom operators must invest in 4G networks given the rising digital connectivity, Mathew Oommen, President-Networks, Reliance Jio, said on Tuesday.

“The concept of point of interconnect and concept of interconnect (usage charge) is related to 2G. It’s outdated. If you don’t invest the industry will become obsolete,” he said at the sidelines of a session at the India Mobile Congress on Tuesday.

His statement comes at a time when a fresh war of words has erupted between Bharti Airtel and Jio after the latter said it will start charging for calls made to rival networks at 6 paise a minute, reneging on a promise to keep voice calls free for its customers.