TDSAT dismisses BSNL plea on access deficit charge

Telecom tribunal TDSAT today dismissed BSNL's all three petitions challenging the TRAI order removing the access deficit charge (ADC), which is a levy paid by private telecom firms to fund the PSU's rural and remote operations.      

Upholding the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) order, TDSAT said, "BSNL has no right for ADC and TRAI was right in calculating the depleting ADC regime."      

In its petition, BSNL has submitted that the withdrawal of ADC was reducing its revenue and it would be difficult to meet the expenses of unprofitable, below-cost fixed-line and mobile services in rural areas.      

The regulator had abolished the ADC from 2008-09.