Airtel takes first advantage of TDSAT ruling on 3G spectrum

Bharti Airtel today became the first telecom services operator to take advantage of the Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) decree last week opening up sharing of mobile spectrum between telecom companies.

Airtel in a statement announced the resumption of its 3G services in eight circles. India's largest telecom company said 3G roaming services would be available in Haryana, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, MPCG (Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh), Gujarat, Kolkata and Uttar Pradesh (East) from today.

Prepaid customers in Kolkata can start using 3G roaming right away on Airtel by selecting from five 'packs' while post-paid customers will be able to avail the 3G roaming services soon. 

Last week, a TDSAT bench in Delhi had said that 3G ICR (intra-circle roaming) agreement signed by Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular does not violate licence agreements (See: Telecom tribunal allows 3G roaming pacts). 

Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular had approached TDSAT against a Department of Telecom order to stop 3G intra-circle roaming agreements under which they provide services to customers in which they don't have spectrum (SC suspends Airtel's 3G roaming arrangements in 7 circles).