WLL players campaign against DoT decision

Fixed phone service providers using WLL technology (FWT) are planning to launch a signature campaign against the telecom department's decision to categorise their services at par with mobile services.

At present, FWT services are offered by Tata Indicom, Reliance Infocomm and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited.

The DoT's directive implied that these service providers would now be subjected to an ADC of 30 paise per minute. This is likely to translate into a tariff increase to Rs 2.10 from the current Rs 1.20 for a three minute call.

Industry sources said the plan involved launching a signature campaign in all telecom circles, and handing out a copy of the signatures and bills of the subscribers to the Prime, Minister of Communication Dayanidhi Maran and respective chief ministers of all the states.

Operators were also exploring the possibility of challenging the DoT's decision in court on the ground that the directive was issued even as the matter remained sub-judice. The Telecom Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal's (TDSAT) is expected to issue its judgement on the issue shortly.