The Hindu : A wrong step

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 28, 2003

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

A wrong step

Sir, — The Telecom Regulatory Authority's proposal to burden the fixed line phone users through various measures is a step in the wrong direction. The fixed lines are still the most sought-after communication mode since a majority would still be unable to own or connect through a mobile telephone. At a time when it has become imperative for everyone to have faster and effective modes of communication, it would have been welcome if TRAI had come out with attractive proposals to woo those who don't own a fixed line telephone, besides retaining the existing customer base.

With technological advancements around the globe, access to the Internet has also become a key to success. The TRAI's proposals seek to deprive the have-nots, particularly the students among them, further, as any increase in telephone tariffs would scale up the cost of accessing the net.

A.C. Krishnan,

Chennai

* * *

Sir, — The rates proposed to be effected from April are very harsh on the fixed phone subscribers. It is amusing that the over 40 million fixed phone users, as against the 10 million cell phone subscribers, have to bear the brunt of the hike.

The silent majority is always punished though it constitutes the most reliable source of Government revenue. This majority is the sincere taxpayer and follows the constantly changing rules and regulations. It is hoped that the move will be reconsidered.

V. S. Ganeshan,

Bangalore

* * *

Sir, — The tariff hike has been effected only to please the cellular companies, and not the cell phone users. If the Government is interested in the consumers, it would have told the cell operators about the need for a level-playing field among its own category.

Though the Information Technology Minister, Pramod Mahajan, said a few days ago that he would not like to kill his own child, he has now done the same to the BSNL which serves 99 per cent of the phone users as cell phone users constitute only one per cent.

S. Raghothaman,

Chennai

* * *

Sir, — The increase in telephone tariff from April 3 is highly condemnable. The major telephone users are pensioners and persons depending on the interest accrued on their fixed deposits. They have telephone connections to help them in times of emergency or to communicate with their kith and kin in far off lands. The TRAI move will only end up in mass surrender of telephone connections by a majority of the middle class subscribers.

Jeyshree Jayaraman,

Coimbatore, T.N.

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