CHENNAI: Vodafone has blocked all short messaging services (SMSs) to the Aircel network over the issue relating to non-payment of termination charges. Airtel had already blocked Aircel just before Diwali.

This leaves Aircel consumers with no SMS access to the two biggest telecom operators in the country. While Airtel had issued a blanket ban on SMS to phones on the Aircel network covering the whole country, Vodafone has blocked Aircel in only Chennai and the rest of Tamil Nadu, New Delhi and Karnataka.

The Aircel spokesperson confirmed Vodafone's action to block SMS services between the two operators. The spokesperson also said that the dispute landed at the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) on Thursday for resolution but the hearing has been deferred till Friday. Vodafone declined to comment on the issue.