TRAI deferring zero-IUC regime to hit Vodafone Idea & Airtel, benefit Jio: Analysts

KOLKATA: The sector regulator’s recent decision to defer implementation of the zero-interconnect usage charges (IUC) regime appears to have boomeranged on Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel, say analysts.

Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio now stands to pocket as much as Rs 1,600 crore in interconnect fees from the two older carriers over the next one year, having become a net IUC recipient in the October-December period, analysts said.

Vodafone Idea and Airtel, they said, could report lower operating income in the December quarter itself with Jio now a net IUC-earner as opposed to a net-payer till the fiscal second quarter.