TRAI proposes to slash roaming charges

If implemented, charges for calls when on roaming would go down by 35 per cent, while those for SMS will fall by 80 per cent.

TRAI intends to reduce the ceiling tariff for outgoing local calls during roaming to 65 paise per minute from Re 1 per minute now. File photo:Nagara Gopal

Telecom regulator TRAI on Friday proposed a sharp cut in call and SMS charges that mobile subscribers have to pay when on roaming.

If implemented, charges for such calls would go down by 35 per cent, while those for SMS will fall by 80 per cent.

 

Presently, this is just a proposal on which the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has sought comments from stakeholders to be submitted by March 13. The final order will be issued post that. Roaming charges are paid by subscribers to use services, such as making and receiving calls and sending messages, outside their home telecom circle.

 

TRAI intends to reduce the ceiling tariff for outgoing local calls during roaming to 65 paise per minute from Re 1 per minute now, STD call rates have been proposed to be cut to Re 1 per minute from Rs 1.5 per minute.

 

For incoming calls, the proposed tariff ceiling is 45 paise per minute, instead of 75 paise now.

 

Likewise, for outgoing local and STD messages on roaming, it has proposed that operators charge a maximum of 20 paise and 25 paise per SMS, respectively. The current ceiling of local SMS is Re 1 per SMS, while for STD SMS it is Rs 1.50 per SMS.

Tariffs for national roaming services were last revised in 2013.