Govt considering show-cause notices over 3G roaming pacts

The government is contemplating issuing show-cause notices to telecom operators which are providing 3G services in circles they do not hold airwaves through mutual roaming agreements.

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"...action of issuing show cause notices is being contemplated against the telecom service providers," telecom minister Kapil Sibal said in his reply to Janata Dal (United) MP (Lok Sabha) Maheshwar Hazari.

Hazari had written a letter to Sibal in December on issues pertaining to telecom operators providing 3G services in circles they do not hold airwaves, among others. Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, Aircel and Tata Teleservices had challenged before TDSAT, directions of the Department of Telecom (DoT) to scrap the pacts within 24 hours issued on December 23.

Sibal sited telecom tribunal TDSAT's split-judgement where the tribunal's chairman order against DoT action while member TDSAT "upheld the DoTs (Department of Telecommunications) actions and imposed fine on service providers."

According to sources, DoT is preparing draft show-cause notices in which it will include clauses that were issued in notice inviting application for 3G auction. DoT may also seek AG's help for drafting a separate notice for recovery of amount earned by telecom operators through the 3G roaming agreement.