Vodafone Idea moves TDSAT over Trai objection to premium telecom plans

In a fresh twist to the controversy over premium telecom plans, Vodafone Idea on Monday moved the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), seeking a stay on the regulator’s diktat to block such schemes. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) had in a written communication on July 11 asked Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea to hold their tariff plans prioritizing premium customers. The TDSAT is expected to hear the Vodafone Idea case on Tuesday.

Vodafone Idea has challenged Trai’s sudden direction to discontinue the premium services, which were launched last year. Asking for a speedy hearing, the company asked in its petition why the regulator passed the order on freezing certain plans without waiting to hear from the industry on the subject. Bharti Airtel is yet to take a call on its next move.