Reliance Jio blames Airtel for 2cr call failures a day between the networks

Terming as "substantially less" the offered points of interconnection by Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio recently stated an "alarming" level of two crore calls are failing everyday between the two networks. The comments come a day after Airtel said it will work towards releasing the points of interconnect or PoIs "well ahead" of the contractual obligation.

In a statement, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (RJIL) welcomed the decision, but said

The quantum of POIs proposed to be released by Airtel is substantially less than the requirement estimated based on transparent workings shared with Airtel. Based on the current traffic flow between the two networks, the proposed augmentation by Airtel would still only suffice for less than one-fourth of the required interconnection capacity," it added.

RJIL said it has been consistently highlighting the urgency of the requirement and impact on Quality of Service.

More than two crore calls are failing everyday between the two networks, which is far in excess of QoS parameters and of alarming proportions, it said.

Stating that urgent steps are required to be taken in the interest of customers of both operators, the company said it was unfortunate that TRAI's intervention was required for Airtel to resume augmentation of POIs, which it ought to have done by itself in compliance with its license terms. It said TRAI regulation does not provide for 90 days to adhere to QOS parameters.

TRAI in fact instructed the incumbent operators to urgently provide requisite interconnection capacities to maintain QoS parameters and not to make this subject to any contingencies or restrictions.

On Saturday, Bharti Airtel had said that it has received payment from the new entrant Jio for additional points of interconnect. It said while interconnect agreement provides for a commissioning period of 90 days, the company will work towards releasing the PoIs "well ahead" of the contractual obligation and would ensure there are no capacity constraints from its end.

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RJIL said Airtel has also insisted on certain unilateral deviations from the interconnection agreement between the parties with respect to installation of one-way E1s as against both-way E1s. One-way E1s are typically installed between similar sized networks. .