Widen the net

Telcos should rationalise tariffs and increase investment

The latest announcement by Reliance Jio that all voice calls from its network within the country would be free from January 1 due to a discontinuation of the interconnect usage charge (IUC) could intensify competition in the financially stressed telecom sector. As distinct from an expected tariff hike by telcos, 2021 is starting off on the promise of freebies, thereby setting the same tone as that of the year gone by. Clearly, the signal from the largest telecom player is that a tariff hike can wait. That optic may not be positive for an industry that needs to invest in