Delhi HC grants relief to Airtel on 3G roaming pacts

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The Delhi High Court has directed the telecom department to refrain from taking any coercive action against Bharti Airtel   on its 3G intra-circle roaming pacts for now. The high court has also sought information on when a full TDSAT bench will be formalized, reports CNBC-TV18.

According to DoT sources, "in compliance with the high court order no coercive action will be taken against these companies for the time being. However, the department believes that 3G ICR Pacts are illegal and the companies should take corrective action on their own. DoT will chart further course of action upon perusal of replies to show cause notices." In the meantime, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea have to respond to DoT's show cause notices within 60 days and also disclose revenue details from 3G Intra-circle roaming and have to submit the details related to 3G intra-circle roaming customers.

Legal sources suggest that the writ petition filed by Bharti Airtel has been disposed off and there will be no further hearing on the matter.  Recently, the ministry of telecom had issued fresh notices to Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular for forming 3G intra-circle roaming pacts. The companies were asked to submit compliance report for stoppage of 3G pacts with immediate effect and explain why legal action should not initiated against them for violating license conditions. Bharti Airtel had approached the High Court following this show cause notice.