Idea, BSNL disconnect Loop over unpaid fees

Indian mobile operators Idea Cellular and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) have ceased interconnection with beleaguered cellco Loop Mobile over unpaid fees, the Economic Times reports. Loop is hoping to have its acquisition by Bharti Airtel green-lit by regulators before the end of the month, ahead of the termination of its concession in late November, but has run into several payment issues with rival operators and vendors. Loop’s chief operating officer told press that the interconnect issue was a ‘commercial dispute’ and will be resolved through talks with other providers. Customers have also reported issues connecting to Bharti Airtel customers, although there is no dispute between the two operators. As previously noted by CommsUpdate, Vodafone temporarily blocked calls to and from Loop for its customers in June this year over unpaid interconnect fees, whilst ZTE said in May 2014 that the cellco and its defunct subsidiary Loop Telecom owed the vendor USD25 million.