South Asian Business news and information

This is great news for the Indian mobile users. Many Indians for business and other purpose travel outside the country. During that time they have to pay roaming charge for using their mobile phone. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has decided to cut down the amount of roaming tariff from 22% to upto 56%. I am quoting from the report published in Zee News:

India’s telecom regulator TRAI today slashed mobile roaming tariffs by up to 56 per cent and also scrapped rental for roaming services -- decisions that would deflate bills of frequent traveling customers.

The TRAI tariff order, which would be effective from February 15, would reduce roaming tariffs from 22 to 56 per cent as compared with the current market rates, TRAI Chairman Nripendra Misra said.

A mobile user, traveling outside the home network, will now have to pay only Rs 2.40 per minute for making long distance calls as against the existing rates of Rs 3.09-3.99 per minute.

The charges for receiving incoming calls while roaming would go down to Rs 1.75 per minute and that for making local calls within the visiting network to Rs 1.40 per minute.

In addition, TRAI would supplant the 15% surcharge with a new PSTN charge. From now on, the incoming SMS while roaming would be free. Mr. Misra also said that TRAI would stop the roaming tariff if the market becomes competitive.

India’s mobile market is growing rapidly. India’s large population and their diversity is a blessing for the mobile phone operators. At present, there are six big operators in India who are controlling 150 million mobile users. This figure is double of last year and famous market research firm Gartner predicted that by 2010 the mobile users would become double the present figure. More than six million users signed up for mobile in December 2006. TRAI’s new decision would lure more foreign firms to invest in India which means better service, better price and more work for the Indians.

Related article:

Zee News

Rediff