Tata Tele told to pay BSNL for Walky services

The Delhi High Court today ordered Tata Teleservices to pay 50 per cent of the Rs 95 lakh claimed by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) as interconnectivity charges for "Walky", a fixed wireless service offered by private service providers.

Disposing of a petition filed by Tata Teleservices, Justice S Ravindra Bhat directed the service provider to pay within four weeks and added that the "same principles" would apply to the rest of the bills raised by BSNL.

He also said both parties could, however, pursue the case furthur with the Telecom Dispute Settlement Authority of India (TDSAT).

Tata Teleservices executives said the company was yet to decide its next course of action. BSNL executives, on the other hand, welcomed the court's order.

Earlier, BSNL had threatened that if Tata Teleservices failed to pay Rs 95 lakh by May 20, it would encash the private operator's bank guarantee. BSNL had also threatened to disconnect its links with Tata Teleservices throughout the country.