Telcos slash incoming roaming rates

Bharti Airtel, the country's largest operator by subscribers, has slashed national roaming tariffs, joining other telecom majors who have also reduced rates. The reduction is effective 1 May.

In a move to make roaming cheaper, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had slashed ceilings on 9 April. The regulator had cut the maximum rate that a telecom operator can charge for STD calls on roaming to Rs1.15 per minute from Rs 1.5. Similarly, national SMS rate has been reduced to 38 paise from Rs 1.5 per SMS. (See: TRAI slashes ceiling tariffs for national roaming service, SMS).

Bharti Airtel slashed outgoing local SMS rate by up to 75 per cent and outgoing inter-circle SMS rate by up to 74 per cent, while incoming call rates were reduced by up to 40 per cent.

The outgoing inter-circle call rates were reduced up to 23 per cent and outgoing local call rates were reduced by up to 20 per cent, it said in a statement.

Reliance Communication Ltd (RCom) has also slashed national incoming rates from anywhere in the country while roaming, in accordance with TRAI guidelines. Now outgoing calls, both local and STD, made while roaming are up to 23 per cent lower, the company said in a statement.

These revised tariffs will now be applicable to both pre- and post-paid subscribers.

Idea Cellular has slashed national roaming tariffs by 40 per cent, with now the operator levying 45 paise per minute for incoming calls while roaming anywhere in India. The revised tariffs will be applicable starting 1 May for all pre- and post-paid users.

Vodafone India has slashed national roaming tariffs by 40 per cent, for both local and STD calls on national roaming.