Mobile companies like Vodafone, Bharti Airtel slam government for banning 3G roaming pacts
Bharti Airtel, Vodafone's Indian unit and Idea Cellular on December 23 appealed against a government ban on 3G roaming agreements, warning it would hurt much-needed investment in the sector. Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal will hear the operators' pleas on Dec,24 the tribunal's website showed.
The government's decision to ban roaming pacts is a blow to the three firms, which currently provide 3G services beyond their licensed zones through the agreements.
The department of telecom (DoT) declared 3G roaming pacts between mobile operators illegal and ordered them to stop them within 24 hours, the country's top mobile phone companies hit back at the government, terming its actions as harmful to customers and to the cause of investments in the sector.