SC stays TDSAT order on leased circuits

NEW DELHI: In a reprieve to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the Supreme Court on Monday stayed a TDSAT order, which had set aside the regulator���s Domestic Leased Circuits Regulation, 2007.

As per the regulation, public sector telecom companies BSNL and MTNL were to provide interconnection for last-mile link to private players, or anybody who demands, within 30 days of the application.

A bench comprising Justices Dalveer Bhandari and Markandey Katju also issued notices to BSNL and MTNL on the plea of the regulator.

Advocate Sanjay Kapur, who appeared on behalf of Trai, said the access to DLCs are critical for new businesses and service providers and the tribunal���s order, however, will have a crippling impact on the growth of the sector.

As per the regulation, BSNL and MTNL were bound to provide interconnection to private cellular operators at the farthest point. It was challenged before the Tribunal by BSNL and MTNL as they consider it as unprofitable. Trai, in turn, approached the Supreme Court against the tribunal order.