Centre for stopping telecom companies from violating 3G license terms

NEW DELHI: The Centre today told the Delhi High Court that it favours stopping telecom companies from providing 3G services to its subscribers in those circles for which they have not been granted licenses.

It told a bench headed by Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri that it was, however, not able to do so due to a stay granted by Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal ( TDSAT) in favour of telecom operators.

The bench, also comprising Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw, fixed the matter for hearing on January 18 after Additional Solicitor General (ASG) A S Chandhiok, appearing for the Centre, said TDSAT would hear the issue a day earlier.

"Due to the Tribunal's order, I (Centre) have not taken any step including the issuance of show cause notices and termination of licenses," the ASG said.

He, however, sought directions from the court to stop telecom operators from providing 3G services in circles for which they have not been granted the requisite licenses.

The court was hearing a PIL alleging misuse of 3G spectrum license conditions by operators including Bartel, Idea Cellular and Vodafone, purportedly causing a huge loss to the public exchequer.

During the hearing, advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for telecom companies, opposed the government law officer's plea, saying the same contention was raised before the Tribunal and rejected.

TDSAT had, earlier on the pleas by telecos, directed the Centre not to take any "coercive" action against three of them over inter-circle roaming (ICR) agreement on 3G.