Vodafone India and Idea Cellular, on Friday, were asked to immediately stop providing 3G services and pay a penalty of Rs 550 crore and Rs 300 crore, respectively, in circles where they do not have spectrum.

In March, the department of telecom (DoT) had issued a similar order to Bharti Airtel. The country's largest telecommunications firm had been asked to stop offering 3G services in circles where it didn't own spectrum, along with a penalty of Rs 350 crore.

In the 2010 spectrum auction, Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular and Vodafone India had bagged 3G spectrums in 13, 11 and 9 circles, respectively. But, these companies signed agreement s with one another and started offering 3G services across the country on roaming.

DoT disapproved the practice and slapped them with hefty fines to clamp down on the operators' trick.

But, Airtel managed to get a stay on the telecoms department's order from the Delhi High Court on March 18. However, the court on Thursday this week vacated the same, and asked the company to stop offering its
3G services in seven circles within three days.

Airtel challenged the Delhi High Court's order in the Supreme Court. The apex court will hear Airtel's plea on Monday. Vodafone Indian and Idea Cellular are also expected to move court against the DoT's order.