The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has contested Idea Cellular’s allegation that it was not given an opportunity to present its argument before DoT imposed a Rs 500 million penalty on it. DoT had imposed this amount on grounds that the operator had suppressed its customer database in one of its circles.
The counsel appearing for DoT informed the Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) that three letters were written to Idea Cellular in June 2011, requesting it to provide its stance over the mismatch of the actual number of subscribers? in its database and the number revealed.
The counsel also said that DoT had asked Idea Cellular to provide the data by July 16, 2011, failing which, a penalty would be imposed.
TDSAT has reserved its order after concluding its hearing.
