The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) on Monday reacted to an open letter addressed to the body and called its accusations as slanderous ones.

The board confirmed the receipt of a letter from its member, Reliance Jio regarding various matters of governance principles and practices of the Association which stated that the body was biased towards certain Incumbent Dominant Operators (IDO).

“Reliance Jio is labeling the established and well performing operators who have served the cause of digital India for long years as Incumbent Dominant operators (IDO). This is slanderous, mischievous and suggests that the existing leading members are a cohort bent upon blocking entry of new operators on the basis of bald allegations,” COAI said in a statement.

In a letter to COAI Chairman, Gopal Vittal and Director General, Rajan S. Mathews on Sunday, Jio stated that the regulations of the board are biased and lopsided toward three incumbent dominant operators - Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea.

The board labelled the operator as a back door operator that was only formally introduced into the sector by COAI.

“Despite repeated and grave provocations from Reliance Jio, COAI wishes to state that Reliance Jio which entered the sector as a Back Door Operator (“BDO”) was welcomed by COAI as a full member,” COAI said.

The board said that the BDO, Reliance Jio was never an applicant for a UASL or UL license but bought a BWA through a front entity and then had it converted to a full blown UASL license despite strong objection from certain quarters including the CAG.

COAI also commented on the fact that Reliance Jio was presented with the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association, and did not raise any issues at that time.

“Our constant endeavor is to make India a fully connected and digitally empowered nation, and all our member operators are fully committed to the Government’s Digital India vision,” COAI said in a statement.