The TRAI has taken the correct decision in reaffirming that the 3G roaming arrangement between the private telecom companies is illegal. As already stated earlier, the private companies had started providing 3G services even in those circles where that particular company was not allotted 3G spectrum. They were cheating the government and the people. Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular made a cartel and utilising the spectrum allotted to them in separate circles, were giving services in all the circles. While BSNL/MTNL were compelled to pay spectrum charges for all the circles, the private companies could select their circles. This means BSNL/MTNL had to pay for all 22 circles, while the private companies paid only for 7/8 circles only but took all benefits.
The Telecom Enforcement Resource Monitoring (TERM) cell of the DOT had already treated the roaming as violation of the spectrum allotment. Now the TRAI has also repeated the same.
Government should immediately take stringent action against the erring companies.
3 G Roaming illegal – TRAI
26 Wednesday Oct 2011
Posted in Uncategorized
VAN Namboodiri's Blog 
Some light at the end of the tunnel. If the spectrum roaming arrangement by the cartel is thus opposed by the government, then BSNL/MTNL would have some good days ahead as they will be the only service provider to be operating in all the circles and it is a great advantage against the peers in the arena. I can sense some business if everything goes as we wish. Good Going TRAI. In the mean time, can the union or the JAC have any say in this matter? If so, why not pressurise the government through official channel? I am not sure about its practicalatity. Hence, excuse me if I am wrong.
Regards