October 2002
BSNL and MTNL challenge TRAI’s order directing them to publish their reference interconnect offer and appeal to TDSAT. Their appeal is accepted

November
l Mobile operators announce their intention to approach TDSAT objecting to Reliance’s offer of unlimited mobility with their WLL-m CDMA services. COAI points out multiple subscription services are only possible by using mobile switching centers not allowed for WLL-m services

l Soli Sorabjee representing the Union of India in the limited mobility case pending before the Supreme Court, submits that cellular operators are repeatedly using the process of court to delay the rollout of WLL services

December
l Reliance Infocomm starts announcing details of its WLL-m services. Package deal includes Rs 14,400 for 400 minutes of outgoing airtime, incoming free, Rs 6,600 for handset, lock in for 3 years; or Rs 500 for 400 minutes per month. TRAI objects to call forwarding facility

l Tata Teleservices rolls out its services in Delhi. Begins to face rough weather with cellular operators on interconnect who refuse to formalize contracts with it. With Reliance’s rollout round the corner it’s no more a whimsical game

l Supreme Court asks TDSAT to rework its previous order of April 2002, ensuring a level playing field between WLL-m and cellular operators

l DoT sends a communication to TRAI inviting its opinion on allowing an increase in the number of cellular operators

3 January 2003
l Mobile operators react to Reliance’s tariff announcements by slashing cell-to-cell long distance rates from Rs 9 per minute to Rs 3 per minute

l Facing rough weather from mobile operators who now insist on reciprocal access charges, WLL operators start routing their traffic through MTNL and BSNL networks

8 January
l Facing increasing pressure from Tata Teleservices and Reliance Infocomm, the Ministry of Communication issues a directive to TRAI to solve the interconnection issue between mobile and basic operators

l BSNL, MTNL react to mobile operator announcements by slashing cell-to-cell long distance rates to Rs 2.90 per minute

9 January
TRAI issues a directive to mobile operators asking them not to block calls originating from WLL operators routed via MTNL and BSNL

14 January
Mobile operators declare war on TRAI. Accuse it of bias in favor of WLL operators and of maintaining a silence on their pleas for transparent and fair treatment

16 January
TRAI issues show cause notices to mobile operators for defying its directive to provide immediate interconnectivity to WLL operators. Gives them 72 hours to explain the reasons for defying its authority. MTNL and BSNL support TRAI and reciprocate by blocking calls from mobile operators on their networks

17 January
l Mobile operators approach TDSAT objecting to the show cause notices issued by TRAI to them and threats by MTNL and BSNL to block traffic through their networks

20 January
l Mobile operators meet Pramod Mahajan, the then Minister for Communication on his invitation and brief him on the issues of cost based interconnection. A temporary truce is made with WLL operators on the conditional acceptance that the interconnect issue would be resolved

l The mobile industry denies that any interconnect agreement has been signed with Reliance Infocomm, contrary to reports appearing in the press

22 January
l MS Verma, chairman, TRAI, blasts mobile operators for putting pressure on the regulator and trying to influence judicial proceedings

l Mobile operators announce all mobile-to-mobile incoming traffic to be free, taking the first step towards moving to ‘calling party pays’ tariff structure

26 January
TRAI removes subsidies on local call tariffs for basic telecom operators as a first step towards moving to a cost based structure in this area. Also announces reciprocal access charges between basic, WLL and mobile services