TTSL, RCom asked to halt launch of 3G services

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed telecom service providers Tata Teleservices (TTSL) and Reliance Communications (RCom) to stop launch of 3G mobile services till a lawful interception mechanism is in place.

However, both companies denied any such development and said the directive was only for stopping of video calls on the 3G platform. TTSL and RCom are the only private players who have launched 3G services. Apart from them, state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) have been offering 3G mobile services since last two years.

The operators had a meeting with DoT and central security agencies today. The operators asked few months’ time to upgrade their network for the full interception. DoT is likely to take a call on the issue in one-two weeks, people close to the development said.

3G mobile services allow mobile users to access internet and download songs and movies at a much faster pace, besides making video calls.

The industry has been crying foul, saying the two state-owned telecom companies, BSNL and MTNL, have been offering 3G services since last two years and these issues were prevalent then also but they were never asked to stop.

According to an exhaustive note sent by the Union home ministry to the DoT, a demonstration was organised by Reliance, Tata Teleservices and Bharti during which the law enforcement agencies pointed out that online delivery of video call intercepts in real time could not be carried out by any of the telecom operators.

The contents of such calls were displayed only after five minutes of the completion of these calls as against the requirement of the agencies, which want such details and interceptions on real-time basis.

During the demonstration, it came to light that long duration video calls, both incoming and outgoing, could not be intercepted.