DoT serves notice on Bharti Airtel

It was operating within 10 km of international border.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a show-cause notice to Bharti Airtel for offering services within 10 km of the international border area. Bharti has been served the notice for operating in Jai Nagar in Bihar.

The DoT, stating that the operator had violated the licence conditions, has sought why a financial penalty not exceeding Rs 50 crore should not be imposed. The notice served earlier this week, has also sought response from the company and asked why its licence should not be terminated.

The Vigilance Wing of DoT in December 2005 had found out that Bharti's cell-site in Jai Nagar was radiating signals within 10 km of international border with Nepal.

A Bharti Airtel spokesperson declined to comment on the issue.

According to the licence conditions, no cellular operator can provide services within 10 km from international borders. During the course of investigation, it was found that Bharti had not taken requisite permissions before launching commercial traffic on the Jai Nagar site. The DoT also said that necessary clearances were not in place for the cell site.

The showcause notice states that Bharti Cellular had not been given any approval by the licensor for installation and commissioning of the base transceiver station (BTS). The wireless planning commission had also not given any clearance for installation of BTS at Jai Nagar, it said.

Earlier, the DoT had also looked into the company's applications to put up towers in Jogbani and Forbejgunj, both in Bihar and close to the international border. The company had filed an application in 2005, but the case was pending for want of a no objection certificate.