TDSAT seeks details of global roaming pacts

Telecom tribunal TDSAT today directed private telecom operators to submit documents regarding agreements between them on sharing of revenue on international roaming calls.

"Produce the accounting papers and papers showing revenue distribution between private operators of roaming charges," a Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) bench, headed by Justice Arun Kumar, said.

The bench was hearing a cross-appeal filed by BSNL and Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) against telecom regulator Trai over revenue share on roaming calls.

During proceedings, BSNL, which is seeking a higher booty on international calls, opposed Trai's regulation on roaming calls. It contended that telecom firms are charging more than Rs 100 per minute for international roaming using its network.

"If they are charging extra by using our network... Then (they should) pay us extra. We are entitled for that," the BSNL counsel said.

Opposing Trai regulation on roaming, which entitles it to only 30 paisa per minute, the state-run telecom giant argued the regulator had no right to intervene in the interconnect agreements signed by it with private operators.

BSNL contended in a previous ruling that TDSAT had directed the regulator not to supervise the interconnect agreements as it was on mutually negotiated terms and conditions.

"Trai has no jurisdiction to intervene into interconnect agreement between the parties," the BSNL counsel said. BSNL has already entered into agreements with telecom firms on this issue.