Telecom tribunal TDSAT today asked telcos to continue with their pacts on existing numbers with tele-marketing firms as the Department of Telecom (DoT) has not yet finalised a special numbering series for them.

A Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) bench, headed by its Chairman Justice S B Sinha, noted that sectoral regulator Trai has modified the circular that directed service providers and tele-marketing firms to enter into new agreements.

In December, Trai had come up with a regulation to curb pesky-calls and SMSes. Trai issued a new circular on March 18 and amended the previous one, putting in abeyance its deadline for the new agreement.

As per Trai's earlier notification, all operators and tele-marketing firms had to enter into an agreement by February 20, with new numbers being allotted to them.

Telcos had to withdraw all their resources to tele-marketeers which enable them to make commercial calls.

The move was challenged by Net Ambit Infosource before the tribunal contending that state-owned BSNL has not issued new telecom resources, but was withdrawing the existing ones.

It requested for stay on Trai's directive.

Counsels appearing for Trai informed the tribunal about the modification of its order and did not oppose the plea of tele-marketing firms.

It submitted that DoT was still in the process of issuing new number series and a committee, which was formed for the purpose, is yet to submit its report.