Reliance Jio has accused rival companies Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea of unethical marketing practices to stoke farmers’ anger at the company and grow its own customer base.
While Vodafone Idea did not immediately react to Jio’s charges, Airtel called the complaint unfounded and asked the government to dismiss it.
In a complaint to the secretary of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India, SK Gupta, last week, Jio said that “to read the meager progress in transfer numbers, these service providers are intentionally smearing Reliance Jio by presenting it against farmers and projecting themselves as friends of farmers while at the same time intentionally stoking protests against the government. “
The actions of rival telecommunications companies violate the principles of tariff advertising and TRAI orders, Jio said.
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Farmers’ unions that have been protesting against the land laws for more than 15 days had called for a boycott of Jio products last week. Calls for a product boycott were also trending on social media.
Jio further charged that rival telecoms teams are using their sales teams and channel partners to instigate sentiments against Jio and these could endanger the safety of their staff and facilities while they seek action against Airtel and Vodafone Idea.
“Airtel has operated in the telecommunications industry for 25 years. During this period, we have competed hard in the market and strived to serve our customers with excellence. At the same time, we take pride in treating our competitors and partners with respect, “said Airtel’s regulatory director, Rahul Vatts, in his presentation to TRAI.
“Despite being provoked by some competitors who we know will go to great lengths to make baseless accusations, adopt intimidation tactics and use intimidating behavior, we have always conducted our business with character and transparency, something of which we are deeply proud and for which we are known “, Vatts. additional.
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