TRAI denies premium subscribers of Airtel and Vodafone Idea access to platinum high speed plans

In an authoritative move, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has put on hold Bharti Airtel's Platinum and Vodafone Idea's RedX premium plans, both of which promises faster data speeds and priority services to its customers.

The regulatory body has asked Airtel and Vodafone Idea to block its premium plans -- Platinum and RedX -- which offer higher speeds to priority customers. TRAI cited such differentiating plans could lower the quality of mobile services for customers who have not opted for such a service.

Recently, Airtel offered faster data speeds on priority to its Platinum users, who would also get to enjoy preferential services at call centres and retail points. The operator's latest commercial advertisement on this plan, aired on television and social media, had also garnered several 1000 views.

Similarly, Vodafone Idea's RedX also offers premium benefits on certain postpaid plans. The RedX plans promises up to 50 percent faster data speeds, besides other benefits and privileges.

But, TRAI is in the opinion that the plans, though attractive, does not seem very favorable to all subscribers. Both the operators were subjected to TRAI's firm questioning and demanded an explanation if the network preference by the operators came at the cost of deterioration of services for other subscribers. TRAI also asked the operators how they plan to protect the interest of general subscribers. It is believed that TRAI views these plans as a detriment to net neutrality.

Vodafone Idea is already under tremendous stress to retain its subscribers as most are opting out of the operator owing to quality of the network connectivity that remains to be a growing issue.