The Supreme Court of India today ruled that Bharti Airtel cannot add any new 3G customers via intra-circle roaming pact with Idea Cellular and Vodafone India, till further notice in circles which airtel did not have 3G spectrum to offer services.
The court has allowed Vodafone India and Idea Cellular to be party to the 3G roaming case filed by Bharti Airtel.
Supreem Court also said that that existing 3G customers can still avail the current 3G mobile and data services, no new customers can be added by Bharti Airtel in seven circles, till the final verdict. The court will announce its final verdict in the 3G spectrum matter on May 9.
Earlier on March 15 DoT asked the Airtel to terminate its 3G roaming pacts with telcos in 7 circles and also slapped a Rs.350 crore fine.
on March 18, Bharti Airtel appealed against this order in the Delhi High Court, and got a stay on the execution of the DoT order. However a division bench of the High Court reversed the previous order on 4th April,2013 and asked Airtel to shut down its 3G mobile services via ICRA.
A bench, led by the Chief Justice of India, also issued notices to all operators, DoT and BSNL to formally place their views on the subject (3G ICR) before the court within four weeks. The case will now be listed on May 9, 2013 for final hearing.
