TDSAT orders Vodafone/Aircel reconnection

India’s Telecoms Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has passed an interim order instructing Vodafone India to restore interconnection with the network of Aircel, and that the latter should pay interconnection fees of INR0.05 (US0.0009) per SMS to Vodafone until the dispute between the two cellcos is fully resolved. The Times of India writes that the temporary interconnection rate is half of that demanded by Vodafone. As previously reported by CommsUpdate, the UK-based cellco ceased interconnection with Aircel last week, citing non-payment of interconnection fees. A statement from TDSAT added: ‘There is a need to examine whether the rates of termination charges demanded by the respondent (Vodafone) are in accordance with the regulation … and whether such charges are transparent, reciprocal and non-discriminatory.’ The matter is pegged to receive a final hearing on 10 January 2013.