Ramchi 0 Report post Posted September 11, 2007 http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=14525162 Bharti, Vodafone-Essar under MRTPC scanner Tuesday, 11 September , 2007, 17:13 New Delhi: After landing in trouble at telecom tribunal TDSAT, two of the country's biggest mobile players Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Essar have now come under the scanner of anti-monopoly watchdog MRTPC which has ordered a probe into their suspected cartelisation in raising tariffs. The Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Commission has directed its investigative arm Director General of Investigation and Registration (DGIR) to conduct a probe into the manner in which the companies raised tariffs last month. The Commission suspects these companies have formed a cartel and are distorting competition in the market, sources said. MRTPC took suo moto cognizance of newspaper reports over the price hike, sources said, adding the tariff hike was almost simultaneous and the Commission suspects that it was a coordinated action. Another leading telecom player Idea Cellular may also be included in the probe later, they said. The Commission's action comes days after Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) pulled up sector regulator TRAI for not intervening in the issue of price hike by the three telecom operators. While hearing a petition by an NGO Telecom Watchdog, the tribunal had also said the matter had a direct bearing on consumers. The companies last month raised tariffs for STD, local calls, SMS and value-added services. But while even a small cut in rates is announced with fanfare, they refrained from publicising the tariff hike and brought out customary notices by way of small advertisements tucked inside newspaper pages. The three companies control around 86 per cent of the GSM-based mobile services market and raised local call charges by 20 per cent and STD charges by 20-32 per cent. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
situ1962 21 Report post Posted September 12, 2007 This is a very welcome move by MRTPC.really these big companies are collusing creat such mischief,not only in telecom sector but also in others.they should be brought to book by the revelent law enforcement agencies.whatever may be the outcome of it,atleast companies will think twice before resorting to such practices in future.let's hope for the best. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
copperco2 24 Report post Posted September 13, 2007 it cannot be termed as cartelisation, but straight way termes as 'eager to jump on to the money spinning machine and earn some profits before the quarterly results are out to avoid the promoter/ investor ire'. may be the same thing at the same time makes it look like cartelisatio... anf it is dome quite often...in any business.. e.g. cement business too... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KumaarShah 143 Report post Posted September 14, 2007 The Thick skinned operators have openly stated that come what may, we will not go back on the tariffs. This sums up everything. They will get stronger if MRTPC or TRAI does not wield the stick soon. Hope the regulators/govt. do something soon. otherwise, all operators will gang up and become gangsters. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ramchi 0 Report post Posted September 14, 2007 Regulators pretending like taking actions and operators paying the right babus and politicians to keep things business as usual! It is a nice act put together by both!! We have seen many such things in this world Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
