Telecom service
provider Bharti Airtel said the government decision to stop 3G roaming pacts will
adversely impact the much-needed investments in the telecom sector.

 

The decision
is a retrograde step as it will adversely impact the proliferation of broadband
penetration, depriving millions of people in rural and urban India from
affordable and quality telecom services,” Bharti Airtel said in a statement.

The Department of Telecom (DoT) on Friday issued notices to Bharti Airtel, Vodafone
and Idea Cellular to stop their 3G roaming agreements with immediate effect as
these have been termed illegal and has sought their response within 24 hours.

We are
shocked at the arbitrary decision taken by the DoT to issue instructions to
stop intra circle roaming (ICR) for 3G services among the telecom operators. It
is demoralising to note that the decision has been arrived at without providing
any opportunity of hearing to industry players,” Bharti Airtel
said.

 
The roaming agreement, signed between the three companies, allowed them to
offer 3G mobile services in circles where they could not succeed in getting
spectrum in the auction held last year.

The DoT took the decision after Law Ministry’s view. It felt the agreement
would lead to a significant loss of revenue to the government. TRAI had also
termed the agreement as violation of licence norms, a charge rejected by the
industry, according to a PTI report.

It is painful to note how the written action by DoT has been delayed till
Friday evening fully knowing that any legal recourse needs court working days.
We will take appropriate recourse to protect its rights,” Bharti Airtel said.

To unwind a strategic deployment like ICR, expert intervention is required
along with CRM, network and IT are to be taken care of. More importantly,
customers have to be informed and their financial commitment towards the
service has to be protected, as per the regulation,” Bharti Airtel said.

The arrangements between Bharti, Vodafone and Idea were brought to the notice
of DoT, TRAI and other related agencies before launching our 3G ICR services. The
DoT’s decision months after the launch of 3G ICR roaming services violates the
principle of natural justice and is to say the least illegal, according to
Bharti Airtel.

The reverse stance taken by the DoT from its earlier stated position sends a
wrong signal, not only within the telecom industry but to the entire business
community looking for a stable and transparent policy regime.

“This decision is tantamount to reneging on a promise. This will severely
dent the credibility of the Government and adversely impact the much needed
investments in the sector as well as the country,” Bharti Airel said.

 

By Danish
Khan
[email protected]