Reliance Jio tweaks feature phone strategy after regulatory scrutiny of tariff practices

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.NEW DELHI: Telecom operator Reliance Jio has opened its low-cost 4G feature phone recharge plans to rival devices after the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) flagged device-specific tariffs as “discriminatory”, according to people aware of the matter and changes seen on the company’s website.The move, analysts said, could widen Jio’s reach among feature phone users but dilute one of its key customer lock-in advantages.The change means users of 4G feature phones with physical keypads from brands such as Nokia, Lava and itel can now access Jio’s low-cost recharge plans that were earlier restricted to its own JioBharat and JioPhone devices.The move follows Trai’s March directive asking Jio to stop certain tariff practices that the regulator said violated transparency norms and disadvantaged consumers. “(D)evice-specific tariffs are treated as discriminatory and disadvantageous to the consumers as the offered tariff plans can be accessed only upon purchase of particular make/technology device,” Trai said.Jio communicated compliance with Trai’s March 24 directions to the regulator a few weeks ago, according to two people aware of the matter.

The regulator is currently reviewing the company’s response.Queries emailed to Trai and Jio on 11 May did not elicit any response till press time.JioBharat and JioPhone are low-cost 4G feature phones from Jio that come bundled with special recharge plans. The company launched its first 4G feature phone, JioPhone, in 2017 with a refundable security deposit of ₹1,500 to drive migration from 2G to 4G networks.