TDSAT rules fixed wireless is mobile

Category: News | No Comments | Posted on September 10, 2005

The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal on Friday described Tata Tele-Services’ Walky as akin to a wireless in local loop mobile (WLL-M) service.

Such a classification means that TTSL and other such providers including Reliance Infocomm, MTNL, Shyam Telelink in Rajasthan and HFCL in Punjab, would have to fork out access deficit charges (ADC) to state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, just like any other mobile service provider.

BSNL, which had dragged Tdsat to the tribunal, said it expected to net Rs 450 crore as ADC from fixed wireless telephone service providers: Rs 300 crore from TTSL, Rs 40 crore from MTNL and the balance from others. If these companies choose to pass on the ADC to subscribers, it could increase call rates from Rs 1.20 per three minutes to Rs 2.10, a 75% rise.

TTSL sources said the company was exploring the option of moving Supreme court against the order.

Economic Times reports:

“As per licensing conditions, fixed wireless service has to be provided within the subscriber premises, wherever it is not, it has to be treated as WLL(M),” the tribunal said.

Related: WLL operators may challenge DoT order

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