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TDSAT allows limited mobility services

In a significant development, a telecom tribunal on Friday rejected a petition by cellular operators against the government decision to allow basic telephone service operators to offer limited mobility services in the country.

Dismissing the petition by Cellular Operators Association of India, the Telecom Dispute Appellate Tribunal ruled in favour of limited mobility service by basic operators.

Following TDSAT ruling, basic telephone service operators have been permitted to provide wireless in local loop service through basic telephones.

WLL allows mobility on basic phone at the rate of Rs 1.20 for a three minute call and free incoming calls.

Internet telephony from April 1

Meanwhile the government, in accordance with the recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, has decided to allow Internet telephony from April 1.

The customers of the Internet service providers would be able to avail of voice communication over computers using telephone from their personal computers capable of processing voice signals or other IP based customer premises equipment.

The services would be from PC to PC (both within as well as outside India), PC to telephone (PC in India to Telephone outside India) and IP based H.323/SIP Terminals in India to similar Terminals both in India and abroad, employing IP addressing scheme of IANA.

The government's decision last year to allow limited mobility, had met with stiff resistance from certain sections of the industry with COAI filing a case against the government of India challenging the permission of limited mobility through wireless in local loop on basic telephones.

On December 18, TDSAT had reserved its order on the controversial limited mobility issue after completion of arguments by the parties in the dispute including the government.

Basic operators welcome decision

Even as the basic operators welcomed TDSAT's, cellular operators expressed disappointment and said they would explore options including moving the Supreme Court or even approaching the government again.

"We are disappointed. We will explore various avenues now and take a decision in a week or two. Appealing to the Supreme Court is one option but not the only option. We can go back to the government and request them to have a relook." T V Ramachandran of COAI told reporters.

Stating that cellular operators had a "genuine grievance," Ramachandran said: "We have to get the grievance addressed."

"This would have a serious impact on the investor's confidence," he added.

The Association of Basic Telecom Operators reperesentative S C Khanna expressed happiness at the decision and said, "as long as the government makes a policy which is (in the) right perspective for the public it is always accepted."

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