Delhi HC: Idea,Vodafone not to add new 3G customers in roaming circles

The development comes a day after the apex court ruled that till the 3G intra-circle roaming case is disposed of,Bharti Airtel cannot acquire new 3G customers in the seven circles where it doesnt have spectrum. However,the court said existing customers in these circles will continue to be serviced. Bharti is also free to add customers in the circles where it has 3G spectrum.

On April 5,the department of telecommunications DoT had issued notices to Vodafone and Idea Cellular to immediately stop providing 3G intra-circle roaming services in circles where they do not have spectrum. It had also slapped a penalty of Rs 550 crore on Vodafone and Rs 300 crore on Idea for violating the licence conditions.

Justice Rajiv Shakdher,referring to an SC order on a plea of Bharti Cellular in a similar case,asked DoT not to take any coercive steps in pursuance of its notices issued to the telecom companies.