Passing an interim order the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has asked Bharti Airtel not to take further action on withdrawal of  the interconnection of SMS services for Aircel from its network till the dispute between the two companies on termination fee is finally decided by the telecom tribunal. 

Termination rates are the charges which one telecommunications operator charges to another for terminating calls on its network.

"Keeping in view the interest of the customers of both the parties (Airtel and Aircel), we are of the opinion that the respondent (Airtel) should be directed not to take further action for withdrawal of interconnection for SMS service, pending further adjudication before this tribunal," said a TDSAT bench on March 23. 

The TDSAT bench headed by Justice S B Sinha also however said Aircel would have to pay dues as claimed by Airtel or as determined by the tribunal along with the interest, if Aircel loses the case. 

Aircel had filed a petition against a demand of Rs 24.58 crore raised by Airtel on account of SMS terminated on its network between April to October 2011.

Aircel in its plea had described such dues as "arbitrary, illegal, wrong, unilateral and without any basis" after Airtel wrote a letter to Aircel on January 11, 2012 asking to settle the bill before January 31.

The dispute between two telcos began following raising of bill at the rate of 10 paise per SMS terminated on its network by Airtel.  

Aircel argued that there was no agreement signed saying hat there was no agreement between them regarding SMS charges and the interconnection was done on the basis of "bill and keep" method.