Date:06/03/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/03/06/stories/2003030607791200.htm

National

Tata slashes STD rates

New Delhi March 5. Tata Teleservices Limited (TTSL) today announced a 47 per cent slash in STD prices to Rs. 4.80 per minute from Rs. 9 for distances beyond 500 km from March 7 till the month-end.

The move comes close on the heels of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) announcing STD rates cut by the same amount. TTSL customers are at present paying Rs. 9 per minute during peak hours and Rs. 4.50 per minute during off-peak hours for long distance calls made beyond 500 km. Tariffs for other distance slabs, however, remain the same. The reduction rates will benefit close to half a million TTSL subscribers.

The STD market in India is currently pegged at Rs. 5,000 crores and calls beyond 500 km account for about 30 per cent of the market. — UNI