The Government on Wednesday said it is in the process of deciding the quantum of penalty to be imposed on Hutchison-Essar (now Vodafone-Essar) for providing Push to Talk service in various circles in violation of telecom licence conditions during 2004-2005.

"The show cause notices were issued for violation of licence conditions. The replies received from service providers were examined. Government is in the process of deciding the quantum of penalty to be imposed," Minister of State for Communications and IT Milind Deora said in a written reply to Lok Sabha.

Push to talk (PTT), is a means of communication commonly employed in wireless cellular phone services that uses a button to switch a device from voice transmission mode to voice reception mode similar to walkie talkie.

Hutchison-Essar (now Vodafone Essar) had provided Push to Talk services in several circles including in Andhra Pradesh, Chennai Metro, Karnatka, Punjab, UP (West) service area, Mumbai service areas and Delhi service areas, during the year 2004-2005 in contravention to certain terms and conditions of Licence. 

Further, the minister said, the company had provided the similar services in circles of Kolkata, Gujarat, UP (East) and Rajasthan service areas during the said period.