WLL operators may challenge DoT order

Fixed phone service providers using WLL technology (FWT) may challenge in court the telecom department's decision to categorise their services at par with mobile services on the ground that the directive has been issued even as the matter is sub-judice.

Service providers said the department had jumped the gun and not waited for the Telecom Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal's (TDSAT)verdict on the issue, which was to be delivered shortly.

The telecom department's notice is also seen as yet another snub to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, which has initiated a consultation process to review the applicability, admissibility, and quantum of Access Deficit Charge (ADC) for FWTs. When contacted, Trai officials refused to comment.

Telecom department officials, however, said the government did not have to wait for the TDSAT judgment as the directive was policy-related. "The issue in the courts is a fight between BSNL and Tata Teleservices over the non-payment of access deficit charge. The judgment will have a bearing on FWT services, but this is a policy decision," said an official.

Officials added that the operators did not comply withrepeated orders from the DoT and Trai to ensure that the phones remained whithin the premises of the subscribers.

"The department has no choice but to treat these services as WLL mobile for all purposes, including inter-connect charges and arrangements," an official added.

At present, FWT services are offered by Tata Indicom, Reliance Infocomm and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited. These service providers will now be subjected to an ADC of 30 paise per minute. This implies, the tariffs will increase to Rs 2.10 for a three minute call from the current Rs 1.20.

The Association of Unified Service Providers, the CDMA association, is scheduled to meet all FWT service providers tomorrow to discuss the government's directive and also explore legal options.

On the other hand, all GSM operators have welcomed the directive.

Disconnect

Operators say DoT jumped the gun by not waiting for theTDSAT judgment on the issue

Officials, however, say it is a policy decision

They add that the department is left with no choice as operators do not comply with orders to confine their services to the subscriber's premises