Provided that if the members of the bench differ on any point or points they shall state the point or points on which they differ and refer the same to a third member for hearing on such point or points and such point or points shall be decided according to the opinion of that member.

(2) The bench constituted under sub-section (1) shall exercise, on and from the appointed day all such jurisdiction , powers and authority as were exerciseable immediately before that date by any civil court on any matter relating to-

1. technical compatibility and inter-connections between service providers;
2. revenue sharing arrangements between different service providers;
3. quality of telecommunication services and interest of consumers;

Provided that nothing in sub-section shall apply in respect of matters relating to-

1. the monopolistic trade practice, restrictive trade practice and unfair trade practice which are subject to the jurisdiction of the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission established under sub-section (1) of section 5 of the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969;
2. the complaint of an individual consumer maintainable before a Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum or a Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission or the National Consumer Redressal Commission established under section 9 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986;
3. dispute between telegraph authority and any other person referred to in sub-section (1) of section 7B of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.

Filing of application to Authority and procedure for passing order by it. Explanation – For the purpose of this sub-section, the expression "aggrieved person" means-

1. any service provider who has a dispute in respect of matters referred to in clauses (1) and (ii) of sub-section (2) of section 14;
2. where any loss or damage is caused to a group of consumers, any member representing such group of consumers.

(2) On receipt of an application made under sub-section (1), the Authority may, after giving the parties an opportunity of being heard, pass such orders as it thinks fit preferably within a period of six months from the date of filing of such application and shall record reasons in writing if final order cannot be passed within the said period.

(3) While arriving at a decision, the Authority shall record in writing the reasons for such decision.

(4) Every decision of the Authority shall be published in the annual report of the Authority

(5) The orders and directions of the Authority shall be binding on the service providers, Government and all other persons concerned.

(2) The Authority shall have, for the purpose of discharging their functions under this Chapter , the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of civil Procedure, 1908 in respect of the following matters, namely

1. summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
2. requiring the discovery and production of documents;
3. receiving evidence on affidavits;
4. issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents;
5. reviewing its decisions;
6. dismissing an application for default or deciding it ex parte;
7. setting aside any order of dismissal of any application for default or any order passed by it ex parte;
8. any other matter which may be prescribed.

(3) Every proceeding before the Authority shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of sections 193 and 228, and for the purpose of section 196 of the Indian Penal Code and the Authority shall be deemed to be a civil court for all the purposes of section 195 and Chapter XXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973.

Provided that the High Court may, if it is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from filing the appeal within the said period, allow it to be filed within a further period not exceeding sixty days.