Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular had approached TDSAT against Department of Telecom order to stop 3G intra-circle roaming agreement. The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) on Tuesday ruled in favour of telecom operators, said a TDSAT bench headed by Justice Aftab Alam. The bench said that 3G ICR agreement signed by Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular does not violate the licence agreement, while also quashing the cumulative penalty of Rs. 1,200 crores imposed on them by Department of Telecom, Reports, PTI.

Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular had entered into intra-circle roaming pacts and shared 3G spectrum in circles in which they did not individually own the spectrum.

"TDSAT had recognised the stand of telecom operators on the basis of which they made aggressive bids for 3G spectrum. The judgement also benefits customers who will have more choices now besides operators, who can now freely invest in network coverage," Industry body Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) Director General Rajan S Mathews told PTI.

Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular won 3G spectrum in 2010 auction. Airtel won 3G spectrum in 13 out of 22 telecom service area for Rs. 12,295.46, Vodafone in 9 for Rs. 11,617.86 and Idea Cellular in 11 circles for Rs. 5,768.59 crores.