Reliance Communications has said that Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) had disconnected point of interconnection (POI) between the networks of both companies in Haryana and Punjab, owing to a financial dispute that began in 2004.

RCOM added that BSNL could not unilaterally act on this issue, as the matter was sub-judice.

The issue relates to access deficit charge, wherein BSNL had accused the then Reliance Infocomm of diverting calls to avoid paying this levy.

In a statement, RCOM has said, “The ADC dispute between RCOM and BSNL is sub-judice before the Supreme Court. RCOM has been complying with the rulings of the Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) in this matter. In April 2011, BSNL raised fresh ADC-related demands for between February and November 2004. BSNL has also raised additional interest invoices for between November 2004 and February 2006, using a method that is against the relevant agreements between the two operators.?

RCOM said that it has paid Rs 5.33 billion to BSNL and also made an additional payment of Rs 0.55 billion under protest.