It’s a free market: Supreme Court dismisses PIL seeking regulation of Internet prices

Noting that India’s a free market offering multiple options to consumers, the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a PIL seeking regulation of internet prices in the country.

“It’s a free market. You get LAN, you get wired internet, and there is other internet… BSNL and MTNL are also giving you Internet (services),” a Bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said, dismissing the PIL filed by one Rajat — a petitioner-in-person.

As the petitioner alleged that the majority of the market share was controlled by Jio and Reliance, the Bench said, “If you are alleging cartelisation, then go to the Competition Commission of India.”

The top court, however, gave liberty to the petitioner to take any recourse to appropriate statutory remedy he wished.

The petitioner underlined that while other options may be available, the majority of the market chunk was with Jio, Reliance.

“They are giving, but see the market share Your Lordship… 80% of the market share is with Jio (Reliance),” the petitioner submitted.

“No please… then go to the Competition Commission of India,” the Bench said and went on to dismiss the petition.

“We are not inclined to entertain the present petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India, petition is dismissed. We however clarify that in case the petitioner wants to take any recourse to appropriate statutory remedy he is at liberty to do so, we make no comments in this regard,” the top court said.

According to the ‘Internet in India Report 2024’, active Internet users in the country reached 886 million in 2024, reflecting an 8% year-on-year growth. Internet prices in India are one of the cheapest in the world. Driven by increased usage of Indic languages in digital content, India’s Internet-user base is expected to exceed 900 million by 2025, a report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) said. With 488 million users, rural India accounts for 55% of the total Internet population as 98% of users accessed content in Indic languages, including Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.