Some 1.7 million phone subscribers with Etisalat DB have been cut off following a dispute between the telecom operator and Reliance Communications (RCom).

Etisalat DB uses RCom's base stations to provide services in 15 zones in India under a $2-billion, 10-year deal signed in 2009, but RCom on Tuesday said in a statement it had disconnected its tenant, citing non-payment of fees.

Etisalat DB, a joint venture between the United Arab Emirates' Etisalat and DB Group, said it had faced network disruption across India since Friday due to a technical issue beyond its control.

It did not mention any dispute with RCom, but in a separate statement Etisalat urged the two parties to reach a resolution. The United Arab Emirates operator owns a 45% stake in Etisalat DB.

"Despite repeated reminders, payments have been inordinately delayed by EDB [Etisalat DB] without any reasonable cause, leading to the disconnection of services," Reliance said.

Etisalat DB issued a statement apologising to its customers for "a temporary mobile service disruption", adding it was working around-the-clock to resolve the issue.

"This is a local matter between EDB and its vendor, therefore it is not appropriate for us to comment," Etisalat said in a statement emailed to Reuters.

"We are being advised regularly by EDB's management team and we encourage both parties to reach a resolution quickly."

Etisalat DB, which had 1.67 million subscribers as of December, is ranked 14th among India's 15 mobile operators.

Etisalat DB and top executives of the DB Group are among several companies and more than dozen people charged by police over the alleged below-market-price sale of telecom permits in 2008.

All the accused have denied any wrongdoing. Etisalat has said the events described in the charges pre-date its entry into India.