Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) chairman Rahul Khullar on Friday offered unexpected support to Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular by supporting the controversial 3G intra-circle roaming (ICR) agreements.

Addressing the National Telecom Summit organized by CII, Mr. Khullar stressed that intra-circle roaming packs allow network providers to offer telecommunication services to all despite the scarcity of spectrum.

Speaking on the topic, he said, "If you simply do not have enough 3G spectrum to give everybody throughout the country, then can we actually carry on with this regime, where you will not make more spectrum available and yet proscribe ICR?"

He also supported telecom firms' demand for lower reserve prices for spectrum during auctions.

Mr. Khullar's comments are a great support to Bharti, Vodafone and Idea, which have been slapped by DoT with hefty fines for entering into 3G ICR agreements with one another for offering 3G service in circles where they do not own 3G licenses.

The three telecom companies have challenged the DoT orders, and the matters are currently being heard by the Supreme Court and the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT).