Treat all customers equally, TRAI asks Airtel and Vodafone Idea to scrap premium plans

The Telecom Regulatory of India (TRAI) has blocked Airtel’s Platinum and Vodafone Idea’s RedX premium plans that offer faster data speeds and priority service to customers.

The development comes just a day after TRAI asked private telecom services Airtel and Vodafone Idea to put a hold on priority plans. The regulatory board in a letter questioned the two operators if the network preference came at a cost of deterioration of services for other subscribers.

TRAI has written to both the companies asking them to detail their premium plans which are designed for certain priority customers who are willing to pay more.

TRAI has emphasised and questioned how the companies were willing to protect the interest of other general subscribers.

It has asked if priority to high-paying customers for those specific plans comes at a cost of deterioration of services for other subscribers. TRAI has given Airtel seven days to respond to its questions.

Here is what Airtel offers

Airtel had rolled out the Priority 4G Network plan a week ago. All the Platinum postpaid users were said to be receiving faster 4G speed. Airtel customers who have subscribed to postpaid plans starting Rs 499 and above are designated as Platinum users. The users active on Platinum plans a range of exclusive benefits, including a customized Platinum UI on Airtel Thanks app.

Not just the high-speed Internet, the Airtel Platinum customers were also promised preferential treatment at customer care centers and retail stores. The services are also known as, “red carpet customer care”. All Airtel call centers and retail stores have dedicated staff to cater to the Platinum customers on priority and cut down the waiting time.

Airtel had also said that it will enable doorstep delivery of SIM cards if users want to upgrade their existing plans or subscribe to the Platinum plans. As of now, Airtel has four postpaid plans starting at Rs 499. The postpaid plan provides a rollover 3G/4G data of 75GB a month, unlimited local and STD calls along with a free Amazon Prime subscription for one year. Apart from this, the plan also ships with a free subscription to Zee5, Airtel Stream and an anti-virus kit for your mobile.

Vodafone Red X Plan

Vodafone’s REDX plans have been into existence for quite some time now. The company had promised 50 percent faster data speeds and other benefits and privileges including unlimited data, calls, premium content, international roaming pack etc.

Vodafone currently has a one limited edition REDX plan costing Rs 1099. The plan offers unlimited data and calls, Netflix and Amazon Prime subscription, free international roaming, free airport lounge access and priority 4G networks with faster data speeds.