Vodafone Idea Calls for Fair Internet Access Amid Airtel's Priority Postpaid Regulatory Review

Vodafone Idea has stressed the need for a fair and inclusive internet experience for all users as discussions around net neutrality and preferential network services continue in India.

The telecom company’s comments come amid growing debate over Bharti Airtel’s recently launched “Priority Postpaid” plans, which use 5G network slicing technology to offer a more dependable network experience during congestion.

Vi Highlights Concerns Over Preferential Services

Vodafone Idea said India’s digital growth has been built on affordable and accessible internet services for everyone. The company stated that offering faster or better network services to select users based on their profile raises concerns about fairness and equal digital access.

Airtel Defends Priority Postpaid Plans

Airtel recently upgraded its postpaid users to plans that provide network priority during heavy congestion using 5G slicing technology. The telecom operator has maintained that the service does not violate net neutrality rules and remains fully compliant with regulations issued by the government and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

Airtel has also reportedly offered to share live network data with authorities and maintain accountability for service quality standards.

Parliamentary Panel Examining the Issue

The issue is now being reviewed by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology. The panel is examining whether priority-based services create an unfair internet experience between prepaid and postpaid users.

The committee is also looking into whether prepaid users could face lower service quality and whether telecom operators are offering premium digital access for higher-paying customers.

Vi Suggests Regulatory Clarity First

Vodafone Idea suggested that 5G slicing and related premium service plans should be paused until clear regulatory guidelines are introduced.

Meanwhile, Reliance Jio reportedly informed the panel that 5G slicing is a globally accepted technology and can support different connectivity requirements while still following net neutrality norms.

Globally, telecom companies in countries such as the US, UK, South Korea, and Singapore already use similar 5G slicing services for specific use cases.

Telecom Companies Exploring New Revenue Models

The debate comes at a time when telecom operators are trying to increase revenue beyond regular tariff hikes. Companies are looking to move more users from prepaid to postpaid plans as part of their monetisation strategies.

Currently, around 94–95% of India’s mobile users are prepaid customers, while postpaid users contribute a significant share of industry revenue despite being a smaller segment.

Vodafone Idea Share Price Movement

Vodafone Idea share price (NSE: IDEA) was trading at ₹14.02 on May 29, 2026, down 1.13% or ₹0.16 during the day. The stock opened at ₹14.32 and touched an intraday high of ₹14.44 and a low of ₹13.87. The company’s market capitalisation stood at around ₹1.52 lakh crore, with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 4.37.

Read More: BSNL Revenue Rises to ₹25,000 Crore in 2 Years as Network Upgrades Improve Operations!

Conclusion

The ongoing discussion around Airtel’s priority postpaid plans has brought net neutrality and fair internet access back into focus. 

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