Respond to BSNL's plea, Delhi HC directs Bharti Airtel

BSNL is opposed to Airtel's plea against a DoT order to stop providing 3G services by entering into pacts with other telecom companies

The Delhi High Court today asked Bharti Airtel to respond to a plea of state-owned BSNL seeking to implead itself as a party to a plea filed by the private telecom major against imposition of penalty of Rs 350 crore for offering 3G services in areas where it lacked licenses.

Justice Rajiv Shakdher issued the notice to Bharti Airtel on the plea of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and posted the matter for further hearing on May 9.

BSNL is opposed to Bharti Airtel's plea against the order of the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) asking the private firm to stop providing 3G services by entering into intra-circle roaming (ICR) pacts with other telecom companies.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had directed the DoT not to take any coercive step against Bharti Airtel Ltd. It had also asked the telecom company not to extend its roaming services to new customers in seven circles where it does not have licenses for 3G spectrum.

The apex court is scheduled to hear the case on May 9.