Business Case Studies,Corporate Governance & Business Ethics Case Study, Airtel Zero: The Pandora's Box

Code : COS0114

Year : 2016

Case Length : 5 pages

Industry :Telecommunication Industry

Organization:Bharti Airtel Limited (Airtel)

Period : 2015-2016

Region :

Teaching Note: Available

Structured Assignment : Not Available

Countries : India

Abstract: The case discusses the events post the launch of ‘Airtel Zero’ by India-based telecommunication company Bharti Airtel Limited (Airtel) on April 06, 2015. ‘Airtel Zero’ was launched as an open platform and as the ‘zero’ in the name implied that the platform would not charge for the data usage by its users to avail a few e-commerce websites, chat applications, and gaming portals. In spite of Airtel Zero’s claimed benefits, it unfurled unexpected repercussions in the digital world on the grounds that it was violating the principles of net neutrality. The case particularly highlights the concerns raised by stakeholders like consumers, e-commerce companies, media and the country’s telecom regulator. The case also discusses the counter argument raised by the senior management of Airtel which opened a whole new debate on the rationality of ‘net neutrality’.