The
Delhi High Court allowed Bharti Airtel, one of the largest cellular
companies, to continue with its 3G intra-circle roaming facilities till
its final order.
The DoT had last week issued a
fresh order to the company directing it to stop intra-circle 3G roaming
in seven regions where it did not have the spectrum and also levied a
penalty of Rs 350 crore (Rs 50 crore per circle) for violating the
licence terms and conditions.
Justice Rajiv
Shakdher said "3G roaming to continue until the final order but an
interim order will be passed later on Airtel's plea for stay of the
government's order".
The court also asked
Bharti Airtel to keep the earnings from 3G facilities in a separate
account and posted the matter for May 8.
The court had earlier passed a stay order on a similar petition filed by Idea cellular.
Airtel
has challenged a Telecommunications Ministry's order asking it to stop
providing 3G services in seven zones where it does not have its own
airwaves and is offering the services through pacts with other telecom
carriers.
The ministry had said such pacts were illegal and ordered Bharti to pay a penalty of Rs 350 crore.
The
order was issued to the mobile service provider after the company had
submitted its stand on the subject to a DoT-constituted committee on the
matter as per the direction of the Delhi High Court in October 2012.
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