Department of Telecom ( DoT ) has sent notice to Bharti Airtel asking it to stop offering 3G services in 7 circles including, Haryana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh (East), Kolkata, Gujarat, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh, and pay penalty of Rs 350 Crore for violating license norms , reports ET.
Back in 2010 when 3G spectrums were auctioned, Bharti, Vodafone and Idea had won licences for 13, 9 and 11 circles, respectively. But these 3G signed roaming pacts in 2011, after which they were using each other's 3G spectrums in regions other than the ones sold to them in auction also. This enabled them to offer 3G in whole country seamlessly.
DoT has already told these operators several months back to stop offering 3G services in those circles where they did not acquire license. Now Telecom Minister, Kapil Sibal has approved the DoT's report to 350 crore penalty on Airtel.
"If with open eyes, you are doing something that is not government approved, something that we have not permitted you to do, then you cannot seek relief," Sibal said.
If Airtel stops 3G services in the 7 circles , it will affect thousands of customers who will loose 3G connectivity.
Back in 2010 when 3G spectrums were auctioned, Bharti, Vodafone and Idea had won licences for 13, 9 and 11 circles, respectively. But these 3G signed roaming pacts in 2011, after which they were using each other's 3G spectrums in regions other than the ones sold to them in auction also. This enabled them to offer 3G in whole country seamlessly.
DoT has already told these operators several months back to stop offering 3G services in those circles where they did not acquire license. Now Telecom Minister, Kapil Sibal has approved the DoT's report to 350 crore penalty on Airtel.
"If with open eyes, you are doing something that is not government approved, something that we have not permitted you to do, then you cannot seek relief," Sibal said.
If Airtel stops 3G services in the 7 circles , it will affect thousands of customers who will loose 3G connectivity.