DoT seeks facts; prosecution not easy

The Department of telecommunications (DoT) has initiated a survey to find all the facts before taking action against telecom operators who missed their obligations for rollout of services, according to a report.

Then companies concerned were given start-up licences in January 2008 by former telecom minister Andimuthu Raja. He was forced to resign after being embroiled in the controversy over selling 2G spectrum cheap.

According to an India Today report, an unnamed telecom ministry official said that DoT is conducting the field survey to ascertain the extent of violation by these operators.

The telecom enforcement resource monitoring (TERM) cell in the DoT is collecting data after conducting the field surveys. DoT is expected to send show cause notices to these operators soon.

According to the license agreement, operators were required to roll out the services in 90 per cent of their service areas in metros and 10 per cent in district headquarters of other service areas within 12 months of the award of licences.

DoT's move comes in the wake of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) taking a tough stand against new telecom players who were given start-up licences in 2008 for missing out on rollout obligations and improper roll- out of services.