The Department of Telecommunications, DoT has sought opinion from its legal counsel, Additional Solicitor General A S Chandhiok on intra-circle 3G roaming services issue. It has asked whether the three telecom companies, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea, should be allowed to continue offering by way of mutual agreements.

A two-member bench of TDSAT on Tuesday gave opposing verdicts on the legality of operators getting into a roaming pact to offer 3G services in telecom circles where they do not have spectrum.

These telcos have said that the split verdict enabled them to continue offering high-end data services even in areas where they did not have 3G permits. DoT, on the other hand, is of the view that split verdict paves the way for it to initiate action against mobile phone companies for allegedly violating license conditions and entering into bilateral roaming agreements.

Our Correspondent adds that in 2010 3G auction, Bharti won bandwidth in 13 of the country's 22 service circles, Idea gained access to 11 and Vodafone got nine. Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea however entered into mutual agreements to offer 3G services on roaming basis in circles where they could not get 3G spectrum.