In a statement on the carriage charges issue between Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and private operators, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has said, ?Private operators, led by COAI, approached BSNL once again to reinstate connectivity at all points of interconnection (PoI).?
?An appeal was also made to BSNL to refrain from further disconnections in order to avoid inconvenience that may be caused to the subscribers of both the networks.?
?This appeal from the operators came in the wake of the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) order, wherein TDSAT has held that operators shall continue to pay intra-circle carriage charges at the rate they had been paying from July, 2010 onwards. TDSAT has further stated that pursuant to compliance of this direction, the disconnections by BSNL may be restored.?
?In spite of the TDSAT Order, BSNL continues to disconnect the networks of certain private operators, on the pretext, that they were not party to the TDSAT order. COAI believes that this is a blatant case of discrimination amongst similarly placed private operators, based on a misguided technicality.?
Rajan S Mathews, Director General, COAI stated, ?Our member operators have always been duly paying intra-circle carriage charges to BSNL as determined by TRAI and will continue to do so. Therefore, we urge BSNL to restore the connectivity at the earliest as it is causing inconvenience and hardship to valued consumers all over the country?.
?In view of the inconvenience being experienced by the subscribers of both the networks due to BSNL?s discriminatory and illegal actions, we urge and request BSNL to restore and reinstate connectivity at all PoI for all private operators.?
