SMS termination issue: Vodafone blocks Aircel SMSes in 3 states

Following the footsteps of Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India has also decided to block all SMSes coming from the network of Aircel.   Vodafone has been demanding SMS termination charges @ 10 p per SMS from Aircel.

Aircel has locked horns with Vodafone India and Bharti Airtel over the non-payment of SMS termination fee. Airtel had already blocked Aircel just before Diwali, in reply to which Aircel decided to block SMSse coming from the network of Airtel last week. While Vodafone has blocked Aircel in certain circles, Airtel issued a blanket ban on SMS to phones on the Aircel network covering the whole country. Aircel has started informing its customers that SMS to Vodafone & Airtel numbers has been blocked by Vodafone and Airtel and that the company is trying to resolve the issue.

There are multiple service providers in the country, which are involved in the legal battle. RCom, Tata Teleservices, Loop Mobile and Aircel have approached the telecom tribunal over the SMS termination fee issue. TDSAT has reserved its order on the interim plea filed by Tata Teleservices (TTSL) against Vodafone’s notice to disconnect termination of SMSes on its network. On the other hand, another plea filed by RCom against Airtel is under consideration.