How bitter rivals Jio and Airtel are teaming up against common threats

It is rare for market rivals to speak the same language, especially in the Indian telecom space, which has witnessed bloody tariff battles and massive consolidation over the past decade. It set Reliance Jio, once the brash new entrant intent on bleeding its rivals through a pricing war, and Bharti Airtel, the experienced incumbent, on a collision course for several years.  

The dynamic between the two bitter rivals, though, has been changing.

Earlier this week, the two telcos opposed the Indian Department of Telecom’s (DoT) move to frame rules to enable the surrender of excess spectrum acquired before 2022. The proposed provisions will do little for either Jio or Airtel, which have already paid for the spectrum. What it would do, however, is benefit their struggling rival Vi (formerly, Vodafone Idea).