TRAI cuts roaming charges from 22 to 56 per cent

New Delhi, Jan 24 (UNI) The telecom regulator today slashed roaming charges by 22 to 56 per cent at Rs 2.40 for outgoing STD and Rs 1.75 for incoming calls making it more affordable for the mobile user as the new tariffs are simple, transparent and distant neutral.

''The incoming SMSs will be free during roaming'' Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) sources told UNI. The new rates will be effective from February 15.

The new rates will be for all kinds of plans, both post paid and pre-paid.

Also, there will be no rental in any form either monthly, weekly or daily, TRAI said after two months of deliberations with various stake-holders including mobile operators who have not contended these new tariffs.

The move comes after the Authority have found roaming market to be lacking in competition. It went through a detailed consultation process and set up several open house discussions before coming out with the order.

The move will also promote inter-state trade.

Speaking on the sidelines of a Summit by the American Chambers of Commerce of India, Communications and IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran said the introduction of the One-India plan (by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd) has changed the way India talks. And for us to match international standards, reduction in roaming charges is essential.

''Lower ARPU (average revenue per user) is the game today,'' Mr Maran said.

At present mobile user is charged a rental of Rs 50 for national roaming services. For a GSM subscriber the charge of an outgoing call can be up to Rs 3.99 per minute, while a CDMA user is charged anywhere from Re 1 to Rs 3.99.

For both users, service operators charge a maximum of Rs 4 for SMS within the country.

UNI