On March 31, Reliance Jio announced its Summer Surprise offer, giving three months of free Internet to users who subscribed to Jio Prime and also bought a recharge pack of Rs. 303 or higher. On Thursday evening, Reliance Jio announced that it is withdrawing the offer.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has advised Jio to withdraw the free benefits of the Jio Summer Surprise, and the telco has stated that it accepts this decision. However, anyone who already purchased the Jio Summer Surprise will still continue to be eligible for the offer, which gives users 1GB per day of free data for three months, before the billing starts in July.
Other Jio subscribers who had not signed up for the Jio Summer Surprise would have to start paying for Jio services right away. However, there’s still a chance to sign up for the Jio Summer Surprise if you want to gain the free offer benefits.
Jio said it will be withdrawing the three months of complimentary benefits of the Jio Summer Surprise “as soon as operationally feasible”, noting that it may be a few days before this happens. Reliance Jio also reiterated that all customers who have subscribed to the Jio Summer Surprise offer prior to its discontinuation will remain eligible for the offer.
Ever since Reliance Jio network was opened to the public, its services have been free to use. Other telcos have raised complaints about this and as early as October, telcos complained to TRAI that Jio’s free calls were congesting networks.
After the first free three month period, the telcos also moved TRAI against Jio’s three months extension of free services, which Jio called the Happy New Year offer. Idea and Airtel had contended that Jio’s free services should not be allowed to extend after the 90 day period. TRAI had at the time examined the tariffs and determined that Jio’s offerings complied with regulations.
This time however, the regulator has decided that Jio’s free offer can not be extended, and that is why the Summer Surprise Offer is being withdrawn.
Source: Reliance Jio, MoneyControl, Hindustan Times, Economic Times
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