LETTER 1: TO THE CHAIRMAN OF RELIANCE INDUSTRIES LIMITED

 

LETTER 1: TO THE CHAIRMAN OF RELIANCE INDUSTRIES LIMITED

To

The Chairman

Reliance Industries Limited

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Subject: Jio's Tenth Anniversary—Poor Network Quality, Consumer Exploitation Concerns and the Challenge of Foreign Competition

Respected Sir,

As Reliance Jio celebrates a decade of transforming India's digital landscape, I wish to draw your attention to the disappointing network connectivity experienced by consumers in Odisha, including Bhubaneswar, the state capital.

When Jio entered the Indian telecommunications market in 2016, it revolutionised digital communication by making internet access remarkably affordable and providing free services for an extended period. Millions of Indians benefited from this initiative. However, the present situation presents a striking irony: while customers once enjoyed free services, many paying subscribers now struggle to obtain reliable connectivity.

I am a resident of Bhubaneswar, Odisha, PIN 751002, and have been deeply disappointed by the poor quality of Jio's network. Weak signals, frequent fluctuations and unreliable internet connectivity interfere with essential activities, including online education, professional work and everyday communication. If such difficulties persist even in the state capital, the situation in less-developed and rural areas deserves serious investigation.

Another concern is the financial burden and inconvenience associated with maintaining SIM validity and purchasing additional connectivity services. Customers deserve clear information about recharge requirements, validity periods, deactivation policies and available alternatives. They should not feel compelled to spend more without transparent explanations of the applicable conditions.

The Starlink Question: Domestic Accountability and National Security

The continuing dissatisfaction of consumers with domestic telecom services may create opportunities for foreign competitors such as Starlink to attract customers seeking alternative connectivity. Competition can benefit consumers, but Indian telecom companies must not allow persistent service deficiencies to weaken public confidence in domestic providers. At the same time, foreign satellite communication services must comply fully with India's laws and appropriate national-security, data-protection and regulatory requirements.

Sir, what is the value of purchasing data when customers cannot use it satisfactorily? A company's achievements should be measured not only by subscriber numbers and revenue but also by the reliability of the services delivered to paying customers.

I therefore request your personal intervention to:

Conduct a comprehensive network-quality audit across Odisha.

Improve network coverage, capacity and reliability in affected areas.

Ensure transparent communication of SIM-validity, recharge and service conditions.

Strengthen customer grievance redressal and provide timely, meaningful responses.

Make actual service quality consistent with advertised coverage and applicable commitments.

I hope Jio will demonstrate that customer satisfaction matters as much as commercial growth. The company that once transformed India's digital landscape should now lead through dependable connectivity, fair practices and genuine accountability.

I look forward to tangible improvements rather than promotional assurances.

Yours faithfully,

Dr. Shankar D. Mishra

Bhubaneswar, Odisha – 751002

A Concerned Jio Customer

LETTER 2: TO THE TELECOM REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF INDIA (TRAI)

To

The Chairman

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)

New Delhi, India

Subject: Request for Regulatory Action on Poor Telecom Services, SIM-Validity Conditions, Consumer Protection and National Security

Respected Sir/Madam,

I wish to draw your attention to the difficulties faced by telecom consumers across India, particularly concerning unreliable network connectivity, recurring recharge requirements, SIM-validity conditions and the costs associated with additional connectivity services.

Consumers pay for mobile and internet services with the reasonable expectation that they will receive usable, dependable connectivity. However, persistent network problems can make purchased data difficult to use. Consumers also need clear and accessible information about recharge requirements, validity periods, SIM deactivation policies and the conditions governing the continuation of service.

I request TRAI to examine whether telecom operators are meeting applicable quality-of-service requirements, communicating their commercial conditions transparently and providing effective grievance redressal. Where evidence establishes violations of applicable regulations or unfair consumer practices, appropriate action should follow.

Domestic Telecom Accountability and the Entry of Starlink

The shortcomings experienced by domestic telecom customers may create opportunities for foreign competitors such as Starlink, which proposes satellite-based internet connectivity. Although competition may offer additional choices, its potential benefits should not become an excuse for domestic operators to neglect service quality or consumer interests.

At the same time, the entry and operation of foreign satellite communication providers must be subject to appropriate safeguards concerning national security, data protection, lawful interception and compliance with Indian laws. The relevant authorities should ensure that security requirements are met without compromising legitimate consumer interests.

India needs a telecommunications sector that combines reliable domestic services, fair competition, technological development and national security. Neither domestic companies nor foreign operators should be allowed to disregard their obligations to consumers or the country.

I therefore respectfully request TRAI to consider the following measures:

Network Quality: Strengthen monitoring of telecom service quality, particularly in underserved urban, semi-urban and rural areas.

Transparent Recharge Policies: Ensure that SIM-validity requirements, deactivation conditions and minimum recharge obligations are clearly disclosed.

Consumer Protection: Examine complaints concerning misleading service claims, inadequate disclosure and potentially unfair commercial practices.

Effective Grievance Redressal: Strengthen mechanisms for timely investigation and resolution of consumer complaints.

Accountability: Publish meaningful information about service quality and compliance so that consumers can make informed choices.

Fair Competition and Security: Coordinate with the appropriate authorities to ensure that domestic and foreign telecom providers operate under applicable regulatory and national-security safeguards.

Telecommunications are essential to education, employment, banking, business and everyday communication. Consumers should not have to repeatedly complain about services for which they have already paid. Affordable plans are meaningful only when accompanied by reliable service and transparent conditions.

I request the Authority to examine these concerns, identify systemic shortcomings and take appropriate action within its statutory powers. I also encourage consumers across India to submit genuine, evidence-based complaints through the prescribed channels so that widespread problems can be identified and addressed.

I hope your intervention will help establish a telecommunications environment in which consumer rights, service reliability, fair competition and national security receive the attention they deserve.

Yours faithfully,

Dr. Shankar D. Mishra

Bhubaneswar, Odisha – 751002

A Concerned Telecom Consumer

Suggested recipients for sending:

Letter 1: info@ril.com, with a copy to care@jio.com.

Letter 2: daca@trai.gov.in, for consumer-affairs representation. For an individual Jio service complaint, first use Jio's complaint mechanism and then its designated Appellate Authority if the issue remains unresolved.

Practical tip: Attach specific examples of network failures, dates, locations, recharge details and previous complaint numbers wherever possible. Evidence will make both representations more persuasive.