The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Monday lowered national mobile phone roaming charges for voice calls and SMSs. But, cellphone users wouldn’t be able to enjoy free national roaming at least for now. Roaming tariff has now been cut to Rs 1 per minute for outgoing local calls and Rs 1.50 per minute for outgoing STD calls. In 2007, the roaming tariff was fixed at Rs 1.40 per minute for outgoing local calls and Rs 2.40 per minute for STD calls.
“TRAI has cut the ceiling for national roaming calls and SMSs and instituted a new regime for providing flexibility to service providers to customise tariff for those who avail of national roaming services through STVs (Special Tariff Vouchers) and combo vouchers,” said a TRAI statement. Roaming tariff for incoming calls have been cut from Rs 1.75 per minute to 75 paise per minute, while outgoing local SMSs would be charged at Rs 1 per SMS and outgoing STD SMSs at Rs 1.50. Incoming SMSs remain free. More: P7