DoT issues 'no service zone' notice to 4 operators

The department of telecom (DoT) has issued showcause notices to four mobile operators whose services have been found to be operational in 'no service zones' along the international border of the country.

The department has asked Bharti Airtel, Hutch, Reliance Communications and BSNL why they should not be asked to pay Rs 50 crore (per circle) as penalty for violation of the licensing agreement, official sources said.

As per DoT guidelines, telcom operators are not allowed to provide services within the range of 500 metres along the international border within the country.

"The licensee shall use requisite technology to ensure that the signals become unusable within 500 metres of international boundaries... The measure is for security reasons," they state.

Earlier, the buffer zone was of 10 km width along the international border where no service were permitted.

The field units of Vigilance Telecom Monitoring cell of DoT found that signals of these four mobile companies were available in the buffer zone of the border areas, the source said.

DoT carries on periodic surprise checks along with security agencies in order to ensure compliance of the conditions by telecom service providers. The license conditions mandate stern actions including imposition of financial penalties in case any violation is detected in respect of usable mobile signals or deployment of cell site, base stations and radio transmitter in the buffer zone.