The telecom regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has directed Etisalat and STel to continue operations until the validity of their licences expires. This means that they will have to provide services till June 2.

The existing rules mandate mobile phone companies to ensure continuity of services to its customers till their licence is terminated or suspended by the licenser.

Both STel and Etisalat are set to lose spectrum licences following the Supreme Court’s February 2 verdict cancelling all the 122 licences allotted in 2008 during the tenure of former telecom minister A Raja.

Following this both telcos had asked their customers to shift to other service providers using mobile number portability, and had announced they were shutting down services after apex court had quashed their licences.

"Restore all network connectivity, ensure continuity of service to its subscribers and maintain the quality of service till its licence is operational," Trai said in separate directives and asked both companies to file compliance reports within three days.