DoT directs Airtel, Vodafone, Idea to stop 3G roaming pacts

Third generation voice and data service subscriptions are growing fast with the penetration of smartphones increasing by the day in the Indian market. Most of the major telecom operators today provide 3G services across the country, but they might not be able to do so anymore as the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular to stop offering 3G voice and data services outside their licensed zones through roaming pacts.Airtel, Idea and Vodafone have acquired 3G licenses in a few circles in the country and have signed roaming pacts with each other to let their subscribers use data services across the country. Bharti, Vodafone and Idea currently have licences to operate 3G services in 13, 9 and 11 circles, respectively. They won the bids in the auctions for 3G airwaves in 2010. The administration has not permitted any company to operate 3G services in all the 22 circles of the country.Click here for full story