The DoT may soon issue new telecom licences to Idea Cellular which had earlier refused to accept guidelines related to 3G roaming pacts in the unified license, sources said.
The new licence agreement between DoT and Idea may also incorporate certain clauses proposed by Idea, they added.
The Department had said that it was illegal for telecom operators to sell 3G services in areas where they do not have spectrum. Telecom companies Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular had contested the DoT's point and the matter is now sub-judice.
Telecom tribunal TDSAT had given a split verdict on the dispute between DoT and the three operators over 3G intra- circle roaming pacts. The matter is now pending with the Delhi High Court.
Idea had earlier refused to sign new telecom permit (Unified Licence) as it barred operators from entering into 3G intra-circle roaming agreement. The company had said the norms can be implemented only after final judgement of the court.
The DoT and Idea Cellular, sources said, have agreed to follow the court order with respect to implementation of norms related to 3G roaming pacts in new licences and the same has been approved by Minister of Communications and IT Kapil Sibal.
"The approval of the minister has been obtained to sign the UL with Idea Cellular with addition of the above mentioned condition in the UL (AS) for Assam, West Bengal, North East, Tamil Nadu and Kolkata service area," official sources said.
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