The lawyers said that the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) have given a split version on an appeal by telecom service providers against a government order that would bar them from providing 3G services n zones beyond their licensed zones through mutual roaming pacts.

The tribunal said that both the parties can appeal at a higher court after one judge voted in favor of government and the other voted in favor of the companies. The companies are allowed to continue services until a further order through their roaming agreements.

Bharti Airtel had won 3G spectrum in 13 service areas, while Idea won access to 11 and the Vodafone acquired nine, out of the country's 22 service areas. The telecom ministry had informed the companies earlier that it is illegal to offer 3G services beyond their permitted zones through mutual agreements between the service providers.

Bharti, Vodafone and Idea have claimed that their mutual roaming agreements compile with the telecom licensing rules. Tata Teleservices and Aircel had challenged the government's order before the TDSAT.