The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a stern directive to Reliance Jio, the nation’s largest telecommunications provider, to discontinue tariff practices deemed “discriminatory” and in violation of transparency norms. The regulator has established a strict deadline of April 14 for the telco to adhere to its orders, which are intended to create a fair competition for over 500 million subscribers.
The controversy stems from a probe initiated in August 2025 after Jio allegedly restricted the availability of certain entry-level prepaid plans. TRAI’s investigation revealed that specific tariff vouchers, such as those priced at ₹249 and ₹199, were accessible only through physical Jio Stores, while a ₹209 plan was restricted exclusively to the MyJio app. The regulator noted that this fragmentation violates the September 2020 mandate, which requires telecom operators to publish and make all tariff plans available across every platform, including websites, apps, and retail outlets.
Beyond platform transparency, TRAI has taken a hard stance against “device-specific” tariffs. Currently, Jio offers exclusive, low-cost recharge plans bundled specifically with its JioPhone and JioBharat 4G feature phones. Users on other smartphones are barred from accessing these rates. TRAI has labeled this practice discriminatory, arguing that it undermines the principle of non-discrimination and restricts consumer choice. The regulator further observed that such ties could effectively lock users into a specific operator for the life of the device, thereby hindering mobile number portability (MNP).
In its defense, Reliance Jio argued that its tariff structures are based on “intelligible criteria” and cater to distinct user segments rather than being arbitrary. The company maintained that the 2020 directive focused on the publication of tariffs rather than the distribution channels. However, TRAI rejected these arguments, stating that the publication and availability of tariffs are “inherently interconnected.” The regulator emphasized that forcing customers to navigate different channels for different plans contradicts the spirit of the Telecommunication Tariff Order, 1999.
As the April 14 deadline approaches, Jio is required to restructure its offerings to ensure that all tariff plans are accessible across all devices and platforms. Failure to comply could lead to further regulatory action. TRAI’s move signals a tightening grip on telecom transparency, ensuring that platform-exclusive or device-locked pricing strategies do not mislead or restrict consumers.
