The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea that sought governmental regulation of Internet prices, affirming the operation of market forces in the telecommunications sector. The bench, led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, ruled against the petition brought forward by an individual named Rajat, who argued for a need to standardize Internet costs across providers.
During the proceedings, the justices pointed out the variety of choices available to consumers, referencing state-owned enterprises like BSNL and MTNL alongside private firms as viable options for Internet service. “It’s a free market. There are several options,” the bench remarked, emphasizing the competitive environment in the sector.
The petitioner had raised concerns about market dominance by major players such as Jio and Reliance, suggesting that this limited competitive pricing and options for consumers. However, the bench redirected these concerns towards the Competition Commission of India, suggesting that issues of cartelization fall under its jurisdiction.
