The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has, in its preliminary assessment, reportedly found no indication that Bharti Airtel’s recently launched Priority Postpaid plans, which use 5G network slicing technology, violate net neutrality norms.
However, the regulator is conducting a detailed review to determine whether allocating a dedicated network slice for certain postpaid users could impact the quality of service available to other 5G subscribers.
As part of the examination, TRAI has sought additional information and clarifications from Airtel regarding service quality parameters. No specific timeline has been set for concluding the review, and the regulator is expected to continue monitoring the offering.
The initial assessment has not raised any immediate concerns regarding compliance with net neutrality principles.
Airtel has informed TRAI that the Priority Postpaid offering uses 5G network slicing to provide an enhanced service experience for postpaid users without affecting the service quality of other customers. The company has also maintained that the plan is implemented in a content-neutral manner.
