There is little new in the demands telecom companies made at their meeting with the sector regulator on Tuesday to decide on what is known as inter-connect charges (IUC). While Airtel, Vodafone and Idea asked for doubling of the rate, or more, Reliance Jio asked for its complete removal.

Their hardened positions, however, makes it clear to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) Chairman R S Sharma that there will be no compromise among them, without sorting of their other contradictory pain points. The new element in the once hugely successful business sector is the ...