Reliance Jio, Airtel clash with consumer groups
New Delhi - Telecom giants Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel traded blows with consumer advocacy groups over the sector regulator's proposal to implement rules for 5G network slicing, coverage accuracy, and financial penalties for failing to meet service quality standards. In an open house session with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Airtel argued that network slicing should only be regulated if consumer-facing issues arise, asserting their current implementation doesn't harm users.
Reliance Jio countered that 5G technologies currently in use can boost network capacity beyond 100% without compromising quality, and questioned the proposed 80% threshold for slicing, calling it disproportionate and technically unsuitable. Consumer groups like Consumer Care Society backed the 80% utilisation limit, citing historical telco failures to expand capacity.
The Broadband India Forum warned that network slicing could conflict with net neutrality if it leads to paid prioritisation, which they deemed incompatible with fair digital competition. MediaNama and other publications also rejected service-specific or app-specific network slicing, fearing it would give operators excessive control and stifle innovation among digital startups.
The telcos warned that the TRAI's sweeping recommendations would necessitate extensive changes to their IT infrastructure, logistics, and customer service processes, making the proposed start date unfeasible.
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