What’s wrong with BSNL – They have disconnected IDEA, Vodafone & others from their network!

Since last Saturday I am unable to make calls from my idea connection to any number on BSNL network connections. This is most likely due to the non-payment of interconnect usage charges (IUC) by Private Mobile Operators. IUC are essentially the charges paid by one operator to the other for using its network to complete calls and send SMSes. So when Idea consumer makes a call to BSNL network – Idea has to pay certain charges to complete its call to BSNL and vice-versa.

Here is the recording of message that I get when I try to make calls from my Idea Network to BSNL.

BSNL has lot of outstanding from various operators for very long time, and there is no doubt that private operators are responsible to pay BSNL, but that does not mean that users should get screwed for this issues between operators.

Infact, BSNL has defied the ruling of the appellate tribunal which has directed BSNL not to disconnect users from its network and had clearly stated that the operators shall continue to pay intra-circle carriage charges to BSNL at the same rate that they had been paying since July, 2010.

The question is – What should consumers do in such a scenario? Any answers?