The department of telecommunications (DoT) on Friday issued show cause notices to Vodafone, Idea, Tata Telecommunications and Aircel directing them to stop 3G mobile data services through roaming pacts outside their licensed zones. Government in December 2011 had termed these pacts as 'illegal'.

Through these show-cause notices these operators have been asked to pay Rs 50 crore in every circle where they were offering 3G services through roaming pacts.

The concerned companies have 60 days to respond to why their licenses should not be cancelled or a penalty be imposed on them.
 
Last year in December, the Government had issued notices to leading telecom firms asking them to stop their 3G roaming agreements as the pacts were illegal.