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Trai may give carrier option for STD, ISD
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newsbyte on 07 May, 2008 02:58:16
 
New Delhi, May 7: Telecom regulator Trai on Wednesday initiated a discussion on
allowing subscribers of one operator to choose another operator for making long
distance calls, a move that would feed competition and improve quality of
services.
Trai issued a consultation paper seeking views from all stakeholders on
‘carrier selection’ that includes the possibility of allowing long distance
service providers to issue calling cards.
"When carrier selection is implemented, customers can select long distance
carrier for their STD/ISD calls. This would help the customer in selecting
services provider best suited to their specific needs" Trai said. This is the
second time Trai has initiated a process to allow subscribers to choose service
providers. Last time, the regulator had consulted the industry in December 2001
but it could not be implemented as state-owned BSNL was not ready to offer such
facility.
The main reasons for the non-implementation seem-ed to be the cost of
implementation and non-availability of proper billing system with BSNL. To
ensure level playing field, Trai had then deferred implementation of carrier
selection by all other service providers.
"A number of developme-nts have taken place since the last consultation to make
the environment quite different," Trai said. (PTI)
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Idea cuts roaming, STD rate
By OUR CORRESPONDENT
Hyderabad, May 7: Joining the price war initiated by Airtel, Idea Cellular Ltd
has slashed STD charges to Rs 1.30 per minute from May 9.
National roaming charges for an incoming call will be Re 1, while local
outgoing call charge will be Rs 1 per minute and roaming STD call will be Rs
1.50 per minute. The roaming tariff will be applicable from May 12.
After new companies got DoT licenses to offer mobile phone service, industry
majors have slashed their tariffs in an attempt to stay attractive to the
customers.
Idea is the fourth telecom player to slash the tariffs after Bharti Airtel,
Reliance Communications and Vodafone.
In a release, Idea Cellular chief marketing officer, Mr Pradeep Shrivastava,
said, "Idea believes in providing subscribers an unparalleled value proposition.
The new STD and roaming charges will change the telephony landscape across our
country."