New Delhi: In a significant development, a telecom tribunal on March 15 rejected a petition by cellular operators against government decision to allow basic telephone service operators to offer limited mobility services in the country.

Dismissing the petition by Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the Telecom Dispute Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) ruled in favour of limited mobility service by basic operators.

Following TDSAT ruling, basic telephone service operators have been permitted to provide Wireless in Local Loop (WLL) service through basic telephones.

WLL allows mobility on basic phone at a rate of Rs 1.20 for a three-minute call and free incoming calls.

Government's decision of last year to allow limited mobility, had met with stiff resistance from certain sections of the industry with COAI filing a case against government of India challenging the permission of limited mobility through Wireless in Local Loop (WLL) on basic telephones.

On December 18, TDSAT had reserved its order on the controversial limited mobility issue after completion of arguments by the parties in the dispute including the government.

PTI