full mobile number portability (MNP), interconnectivity charges between mobile and landline usage slashed, what’s next? Slash roaming call charges and roaming SMS charges! The TRAI is on a rate-slashing rampage with its latest amendment called the Draft Telecommunication Tariff (Sixtieth Amendment) Order, 2015.
Proposed revisions in the ceiling tariffs for national roaming services
In the amendment, TRAI has proposed to slash roaming call and message charges for teleoperators by 30% and 80% respectively on maximum rates charged for the above. Outgoing call charges while on roaming have come down to 65 paise per minute from the previous 1 rupee while STD calling during roaming has been reduced from Rs 1.50 to Re 1 per minute. Incoming calls on roaming will be restricted to 45 paise per minute as compared to 75 paise currently, and SMSing will get cheaper from Rs 1.50 rupees to 25 paise per SMS on roaming.
The current proposal awaits a nod and will be finalised after a stakeholder meeting and review by March 13, 2015.
We can haz cheap roaming?
The slashing of these ceiling charges may mean cheaper roaming calls and SMSes for all those who travel frequently or use a phone number not native to their telecom circle. Interestingly, telecom service providers make Rs 8000 crores from roaming charges levied on subscribers, which a report from ET states, makes up less than 8% of the mobile industry’s revenue.
Source: http://www.medianama.com/2015/03/223-trai-proposes-to-slash-voice-sms-roaming-charges/