COAI hits back at Reliance Jio, says 'differences' with TRAI

New Delhi : Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) on Saturday hit back on Reliance Jio over demands of apology, saying its "differences" are with regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s orders, not with a specific operator, and it is duty-bound as an association to raise concerns on the growth of the sector.

"Our differences are with the orders of the regulator and not with any specific operator. Our intention is not to aggrieve any particular operator. Individual operators are free to pursue the interests of their own company vigorously under the framework of the laws of the land,” COAI director general, Rajan S. Mathews said in a statement.

Reliance Jio had slammed COAI for releasing a comment that said TRAI is favouring the newcomer, demanding a public apology from COAI and Mathews within 48 hours of the release of the statement.

COAI statement on Saturday further said, “However, the regulator’s role is to ensure the competing claims of companies are appropriately handled in the interest of the entire industry. This is the mandate of the TRAI Act, which specifically tasks it with ensuring the orderly growth of the industry.”