Jio recently urged the government to take action in phasing out 2G and 3G networks, pushing for a transition to 4G and 5G for digital advancement and creative applications. Jio’s competitor Vi (Vodafone-Idea) reportedly opposed the recommendation.
The company criticizes the move as “rhetoric in nature” and claims that it could also impact the financial inclusion of rural and marginal consumers.
The abandoning of 2G and 3G networks would impact feature-phone users in rural areas. Further, it could also impact ATMs and POS (Point of Sales) machines that use those network standards.
Regarding the matter, Vi told ET that:
We submit that such comments and demands are rhetoric in nature and ignore the severe impact on existing customers from a network shutdown through regulatory mandates.
Such inorganic shutdown of 2G/3G networks through a regulatory mandate would also impact financial inclusion of rural and marginal consumers.
We urge the TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) to disregard such rhetoric comments of sunset date for legacy technologies and do not recommend any regulatory mandate.
Vi’s statement is sensible considering the impact. At the same time, TRAI should also look for a phased transition to newer tech, especially in rural areas.
Jio’s recommendation has brought about a healthy discussion that TRAI should be working on in a manner that benefits the government as well as consumers.