Tatas, BSNL fight over interconnection

Tata Teleservices (TTSL) today accused state-owned BSNL of not providing interconnection at various points saying this was delaying their plans to start services in more than 100 towns.

"We are ready to start services in various cities of northern India. We have invested over Rs 1,700 crore and are ready to pump in another Rs 1,500 crore. But there is no point in investing if we cannot start the services," Naresh Malhan, president, TTSL said today.

Asked whether the company had taken up the issue with authorities concerned, he said "the issue has been taken up both with Trai and DoT.

The problem is acute in Rajasthan but overall in nearly 100 towns in the northern region, the company has been facing the problem for more than three months.

"This is having a negative impact on company's growth plans. We are targeting a subscriber base of three million in the current financial year from current 0.8 million," he said.

Malhan said the launch of services was getting delayed as Reliance Infocomm was also taking time in giving interconnection in the six new circles in north.

Asked whether they were planning to approach telecom dispute settlement and appellate tribunal (TDSAT), Malhan said "that will be the last resort. We are making all efforts to resolve the issues among ourselves."