Telecom tribunal, TDSAT, has directed the government not to take any coercive action against three telecom firms over inter-circle roaming agreement on 3G till the 3rd of next month.

The telecom ministry had earlier issued notices to Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea asking them to stop inter-circle roaming for premium 3G mobile services terming it as termed illegal and in violation of licence norms.

TDSAT Bench headed by its chairperson Justice SB Sinha said, till next date of hearing, Department of Telecom will not take any coercive actions against the three operators to enforce the order of December 23, 2011. The Tribunal also asked the Telecom Ministry to file their response by next week.

These three operators along with two others Tata and Aircel had moved the Tribunal against the orders.

Representing Vodafone, senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the order is arbitrary and illegal as under the Unified Access Services License the operators are free to offer various types of services like voice, messaging and data.

Additional Solicitor General A.S. Chandhioke, appearing for the Department said the telecom firms need separate licence for 3G spectrum as a new clause was inserted in the licence conditions of the operators who have got 3G bandwidth.