In the latest update in the very public war of words ongoing between the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) and the disruptive entrant in the telecom sector Reliance Jio, the industry body has hit back at Jio for accusing it of discriminatory action. The series of rebuttals began when COAI alleged that TRAI’s regulations on predatory pricing, including its rules and definition of predatory pricing, had distorted the market. The association, which has all major telcos as its members also said that the orders appeared “to be strengthening the ambitions of one particular operator with deep pockets and monopolistic designs at the expense of other operators.” Then Reliance Jio hit back saying that the industry body’s comments were “intentionally, wrongfully and maliciously made to induce disparaging and inimical opinions against Reliance Jio” and demanded a public apology within 48 hours. COAI Response In response to this, COAI’s latest statement alleges that Jio’s notice intends to sideline genuine issues raised by the body, and that Jio was “attacking, belittling and making false imputations against the COAI”. The industry body also asked for a public apology from Jio and added that it reserves the right to initiate legal action against the company for false and malicious imputations against COAI and its officers. The body said that Jio’s “attack” was in line with its previous conduct, when it has tried to “malign the reputation COAI” every time it has taken a stand Jio disagrees with. COAI also quashed Jio’s accusation that the body’s comments on predatory pricing…
