BSNL restores interconnectivity to mobile operators
29 Oct 2011
The 12-day stand-off between state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and private telecom operators finally ended on Thursday night, with BSNL restoring interconnectivity to three private operators – Airtel, Vodafone and Idea.
V K Mahendra, BSNL's principal general manager, Pune, told newspersons, ''On Thursday 8:00 pm we received an SMS from the Mumbai headquarters to restore the services immediately. I believe the orders were issued for entire Maharashtra region. Immediately we issued orders for the same. As networks had not been disconnected physically, only technical commands similar to computer commands had to be issued to restore the connectivity.''
BSNL had snapped interconnectivity to the three private operators, claiming unpaid dues of Rs12 crore.
BSNL said it had withdrawn connectivity after giving prior notice and sufficient time as per interconnect agreements with the three private operators.
As a result, subscribers of three of India's leading mobile operators were unable to make calls to BSNL landlines, and vice versa. (See: BSNL defies regulators, disconnects services to private cellphone operators)
Asked about the dues, Mahendra said no details on this, as both Thursday and Friday were official holidays. Details on the matter are expected on Monday.
