Idea Cellular, the third largest telecom operator in India, has suspended interconnect services with Aircel for non-payment of dues.

Idea Cellular, a company promoted by Aditya Birla group, said it will restore interconnect services immediately after Aircel makes the payment, but did not specify the outstanding amount.

It is not clear whether Aircel is facing a huge financial crisis. Aircel is partly owned by Maxis of Malaysia. Aircel had to scrap its merger discussion with Reliance Communications due to issues related to regulation.

Idea Cellular said it gave several reminders since November 2017 and the mobile operator had failed to meet its payment commitments forcing Idea to suspend interconnect services, as per the terms of interconnect agreement.

Idea Cellular said it regrets the inconvenience caused to mobile users who are unable to connect with each other.

“We sincerely hope that the operator will honour its contractual obligation and payment commitment, in the interest of customers,” Idea Cellular said.

Idea Cellular is in the final process of combining its telecom operation with Vodafone India to create the largest telecom operator in the country.