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Why Airtel wants consumers to pay for streaming IPL on JioCinema?
Mumbai: If Airtel has its way, consumers will have to pay to watch IPL on JioCinema.
In an anti-consumer move, Bharti Airtel has reached out to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and filed a complaint on offers of Live TV channels with broadband plans by Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited.
Reliance Jio has dismissed Bharti Airtel’s recent complaint calling the Sunil Mittal-led telco’s move a deliberate, malicious attempt to defame Jio’s consumer-friendly tariffs and protect its narrow interests.
While Airtel always claims to be consumer friendly, it keeps its users tied to 2G. It has 370 million mobile subscribers, out of which more than 135 million customers are still on 2G.
“Airtel’s 2G users have to pay 155 every 24 days (more than Rs 190 for a month) to just stay connected, which was free earlier and 49 Rs for 28 days just 2-3 years back. 200% hike in such a short time. The data charges are effectively 150 per GB for these customers. They do not get any incoming facility after recharge. It is blocked after 7 days if you do not shell out 155,” said a telecom expert.
Airtel earlier wanted to charge for incoming calls on its network and was against unlimited voice- who effectively pays for this, is only the poor.
Every year, the service provider wants to increase tariffs primarily for feature phone users. These phones are used by the poor consumers, who cannot afford smartphones, in which they can get unlimited voice and data services. Airtel always makes complaints against low cost offers by others.
“Their DTH prices are highest in the market. The most basic package that comes free everywhere costs Rs. 227 on Airtel,” a DTH company executive said.
“But on Airtel’s cost side, it seems the company wants everything for free.
They wanted free spectrum or very low-cost spectrum for mobile services, free spectrum for its company one-web for satellite communication and wanted to continue using free spectrum by license extension only. Airtel wanted waivers of AGR dues, low spectrum charges despite taking free administrative spectrum,” said a long time telecom watcher.
“The service provider regularly fights cases to avoid government payments but rarely does anything to reduce and set costs and forces its 4G and 5G on everyone. When free voice is available to smartphone users – also in the form of applications like WhatsApp, why does Airtel continue to charge exorbitant tariffs from its Poor consumers? Why does Airtel continue to oppose affordable services provided by others,” said another expert.
“This is clearly because, Airtel wants to make super normal profits at the cost of poor consumers as well as Government,” the expert added.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
