On Friday Vodafone told the Delhi High Court that imposing fine on Vodafone of Rs.1050 crores is an “arbitrary" decision. TRAI imposed this fine on the Vodafone for not providing interconnectivity to Reliance Jio. This fine is imposed on its 21 circles of Rs.50 crores each including all circles except in Jammu and Kashmir. The total comes to Rs. 1050 crores.
Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva did not pass any orders after TRAI's lawyers sought time till December 19 to take instructions on the steps taken by the authority after it issued a show cause notice to Vodafone on September 27. According to Vodafone the entire process adopted by TRAI was "arbitrary" as Reliance announced Jio offer on September 5-6 and had thereafter made payment for "augmentation of interconnection links" on September 25after which there was a 90-day period to provide interconnectivity.
"In these circumstances, how can even the findings be sustained," it asked and added that once a recommendation was made it could cloud judgment of decision-taking authority.
TRAI imposed penalty on Airtel and Idea Cellular as well. On Airtel for same 21 circles and Rs. 50 each, and on Idea for 19 circles and Rs. 50 crores each. And Regulator gives reason for their non-cancelation of telecom license. The reason behind non-cancelation is "significant consumer inconvenience".
The case is lodged by the Reliance Jio on the basis that over 75 percent of calls on its network are failing as these telecom companies were not giving sufficient points of interconnect that would help complete calls.
TRAI said broadband connectivity to...