Date:21/07/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/07/21/stories/2005072102200400.htm

Back Push-to-talk: DoT showcause to Tata Tele

Our Bureau

New Delhi , July 20

THE Department of Telecom has issued a showcause notice to Tata Teleservices seeking explanation as to why a penalty of Rs 50 crore should not be slapped for offering `Push-To-Talk' service.

DoT has said that the service is illegal and could have jeopardised national security as it enabled subscribers to make long distance calls by bypassing the national long distance network. This is the second time that DoT has issued a show cause to the Tatas on the same issue.

DoT has given a month to Tatas to explain why the penalty should not be levied for violating the ISP licence conditions, under which the company was offering PTT services.

DoT has said the radio frequency used by Tatas' ISP licence for offering PTT was originally allotted to the company for unified access service and this led to violation of the licence terms and conditions.