New Delhi: The row over interconnection between cellular operators and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on January 17 intensified with the former approaching the telecom tribunal TDSAT against the regulator's directive.

The move by cellular players to knock at the telecom tribunal's door follows show- cause notices slapped by the regulator on these operators asking them to explain by January 20 as to why punitive action not be taken against them for repeatedly defying its directives for establishing interconnection with Wireless in Local Loop (WLL) based mobile services.

"TRAI is forcing the cellular industry to accept WLL (M) calls, which it considers illegal. It is against TRAI's unjust and discriminatory directive, and after exhausting every possible attempt for reconciliation, that the industry was today compelled to take the matter to TDSAT to seek a just redressal," Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI) said in a statement.

According to sources, TDSAT is likely to begin proceedings on WLL (M) services being offered by basic telecom players from January 20, as directed by the Supreme Court.

COAI, in its reply to TRAI, had said that TRAI's order was illegal, discriminatory and violated the principles of natural justice and that issuing such directive for immediate interconnection was not in its jurisdiction.

The COAI has been defying TRAI's directive to provide interconnectivity to basic telecom players offering limited mobile services demanding equitable terms with regard to access charges of Rs 1.20 paid by cell subscriber for making a call on fixed line.

PTI