New Delhi: The government on December 19 sought to allay customer fears over wireless in local loop (WLL) saying there was no restraint on basic telephone operators providing the service.

"In my view, at least the Supreme Court ruling has not restrained WLL services. So old as well as new operators are allowed to offer these services," IT and Communications Minister Pramod Mahajan told reporters here.

"Supreme Court ne WLL ko close karne ko nahi kaha hai (SC has not asked to shut down WLL services)," he said at the launch of Tata Teleservices's basic and WLL telephony services here.

He said the Apex Court has only referred the matter to the Telecom Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to see if there were any losses and to whom.

"The customers of WLL services need not worry. WLL policy is here to stay," he said. Asked about the cellular operators' view, Mahajan said, "They put their views at Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) but the views were not accepted. They then approached TDSAT who also did not see any point in their argument. Then they approached Supreme Court, which too has not stayed WLL services.

"Cellular operators views have not been accepted at the three impartial and legal bodies. Government believes WLL is part of the policy," he said.

Mahajan said he would launch Reliance Infocomm's WLL services later this month.

PTI