Monday, October 3 2005 18:43 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Supreme Court today (Oct 3, 2005) asked the BSNL not to disconnect the point of connectivity with Tata Teleservices Ltd for its 'Walky' service and issued notice to the telecom PSU on an appeal by the Tata's against the demand between Rs 250-300 crore as a levy for Access Deficit Charge.

A Bench comprising Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice Arun Kumar sought a reply from BSNL within two weeks on a petition by Tata'a seeking stay of the TDSAT order that classified the company's fixed wireless phone service 'Walky' as limited mobile.

The apex court said there will be no encashment of bank guarantee given by Tata and asked the company (Tata Teleservices Ltd and Tata Teleservices Maharashtra) to deposit Rs 10 crore each.

TDSAT had ruled that Walky service offered by Tatas was a mobile service, thus, the private company was liable to pay a levy called Access Deficit Charge to state-owned BSNL as per the interconnect order of telecom regulator TRAI.

Tata Teleservices had also asked the Department of Telecom three months time to implement the TDSAT order, but did not get any respite.

Senior advocate Arun Jaitley, appearing for the Tata's submitted that BSNL has been circulating letters to recover Walky dues asking its circle heads to act immediately concerning delayed payment of IUC (interconnect usage charges).

Solicitor General G E Vahanvati, appearing for the BSNL said, till now the private operator has not made any payment and some amount should be deposited by them to avoid disconnection.