Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd today threatened to deny access to cellular operators if they did not carry calls from limited mobility subscribers through their networks.
This will mean that cell users will be able to connect only to other cell users and not to the 40 million fixed-line users or the 1 million cell users on Dolphin and CellOne.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, meanwhile, decided to issue notices to cell operators for defying the 24-hour deadline to interconnect with limited mobility operators.
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The regulator will issue the notice tomorrow, giving cell firms 72 hours to explain why punitive measures should not be initiated against them. The regulator will also give a hearing to the cell operators.
In a letter to cellular operators, BSNL and MTNL said they could not selectively block calls transiting through their networks.
Limited mobility operators like Tata Teleservices and HFCL route calls to cellular subscribers through BSNL and MTNL in the absence of direct connectivity with cellular networks.
While the punitive measures are still being discussed, senior Trai officials said as per the Trai Act, the operators could be asked to pay a lumpsum of Rs 2 lakh in addition to Rs 1 lakh per day till the operators complied with Trai