Trai examines Airtel and Jio complaints over Vi’s mobile-portability practices

Trai is reviewing allegations from Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio that Vodafone Idea and its sales partners used misleading mobile-number-portability tactics. Vi denies wrongdoing as it pushes subscriber additions, 5G upgrades and marketing-led recovery.

— Source publishedMon, 14 Sept, 2026, 13:17 IST·First seen Mon, 14 Sept, 2026, 13:24 IST·Source Business Standard · Companies

What happened

Trai is investigating Airtel and Jio complaints that Vodafone Idea and its sales partners used misleading mobile-number-portability practices. Vi denies

Key facts

  • 1900
  • Rs 35,000 crore
  • Rs 45,000 crore
  • FY29
  • Rs 1.2 trillion
  • MNP 2009

Why this matters

For potential partners or acquirers, the case highlights the need for enhanced diligence on Vi’s sales-channel controls, customer-acquisition practices and regulatory exposure.

What to watch

  • TRAI notice, consultation, directive, penalty, or timeline for operator submissions
  • Evidence of misleading MNP messages, unauthorized port requests, or dealer incentive structures
  • Monthly subscriber data showing whether Vi’s gross additions or mobile-number-portability inflows weaken
  • Changes in Vi’s marketing language, dealer policies, or customer-consent verification
  • Airtel and Jio port-in campaign escalation or public disclosure of complaint evidence
  • Vi fundraising, 5G rollout, and capex progress, which determine its ability to absorb acquisition disruption
  • Vi is likely to submit a detailed response, audit dealer and retail-partner scripts, and emphasize compliant porting processes.
  • Airtel and Jio may provide additional customer complaints, campaign samples, and dealer-level evidence to TRAI.
  • TRAI may seek data on porting requests, rejection rates, customer-consent records, and marketing communications across operators.
  • Vi may shift acquisition spending toward network-quality messaging, targeted retention offers, and digital channels with stronger audit trails.
  • Competitors may intensify port-in offers in circles where Vi’s sales activity is constrained or publicly questioned.

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