MUMBAI: Reliance Jio chose not to respond to queries regarding its reply to TRAI that was expected today (29 December) in connection with questions raised against alleged violations in extending its free offer till 31 March 2017 much beyond its introductory offer. After two emailed queries and phone calls from indiantelevision.com, Jio chose not to respond.

Airtel had last week filed a petition before TDSAT (Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal) accusing TRAI of being 'sleeping trustee' and a 'mute spectator' to the violations carried out by Jio. Airtel had filed the petition after TRAI questioned Jio over its extended free services as Happy New Year offer.

Reliance Jio had sought time till 29 December before it responds to the above-mentioned query.

Soon after Jio announced its offer earlier this month, TRAI came up with a statement assuring that it will closely examine the new offer. However, TRAI failed to come to any conclusion on its examination which is why Airtel then filed the petition.

As a result, TRAI asked Jio company to explain why its extended free services should not be seen as a violation of existing regulation which restricts promotional offers to 90 days.

Jio, in a meeting with TRAI, had reportedly said that the latest offer was different from the previous offer as, in the former, the company provided 4GB of free data per day, but in the latter case, it restricted the free internet up to 1GB under Fair Usage Policy. Jio also stressed the fact that in the new offer if the data limit was exhausted, then one had to buy recharge vouchers, which was not the case in the initial offer.

The petition was presented before the TDSAT bench last Friday, where TRAI sought 10 additional days to take a decision. The next date of hearing has been set on 6 January whereas Jio was expected to respond by 29 December.