The Telecom Enforcement, Resource and Monitoring (TERM) Cell of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has said that the 3G roaming agreements between Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Essar and Idea Cellular are illegal and has asked DoT to initiate action against the three operators. This is expected to include issuing show cause notices and imposing financial penalties.
If carried out, the three operators may have to pay Rs 500 million as penalty for every circle in which they have entered into 3G roaming agreements.
Prior to this, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) had asked DoT?s opinion on the 3G roaming agreements between the incumbents. The vigilance body had asked DoT to explain if these roaming agreements were allowed under existing permits.
It had also asked DoT to examine if these agreements amounted to spectrum sharing or even offering services as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), both of which are not permitted under existing rules.
