The Hindu : BSNL retains rental rates, cuts free calls

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 11, 2003

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National

BSNL retains rental rates, cuts free calls

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI APRIL 10. The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited today announced new tariffs for the fixed line phones from May 1. At first glance, the tariffs allay apprehensions about much higher rates after the TRAI had given the green signal for charging higher rentals and a two-minute pulse. But opposition from political parties, including the ruling BJP, and the need to maintain a differential with the cellular and limited mobility rates have forced the BSNL to refrain from going along with the indicative rates announced by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

The existing rentals for rural and urban subscribers and the three-minute pulse have been retained but free calls have been reduced for low users. Peak hour Internet rate remains at three minute pulse while the off-peak pulse will now be 10 minutes or about Rs. 7 an hour.

Reductions have been made for certain calls within circles and for calls to cellular phones. A special package will be offered for the first time to high calling subscribers. Under this scheme, rentals will be high but free calls have been increased and the local call rate is lower.

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