The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has challenged the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT)’s verdict on 3G intra-circle roaming agreements. The TDSAT’s verdict had permitted telecom operators to offer 3G services in circles where they do not hold 3G spectrum through intra-circle roaming (ICR) agreements.

Earlier, DoT had issued notices to Airtel, Vodafone and Idea in December 2011 asking them to stop 3G ICR pacts but the order was challenged by the operators in TDSAT. The tribunal rejected DoT’s ban on offering 3G mobile services through ICR pacts. It asserted that better utilisation of the 3G radio frequencies by operators under ICRs was in the national interest. TDSAT had then cancelled the penalty Rs 12 billion on these operators for entering into pacts. Following the removal of the ban, Airtel, Vodafone and Idea extended service under the 3G ICR in all service areas level except Odisha.