Business

TRAI favours calling cards

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Wednesday asked the Government to allow national (STD) and international long distance (ISD) operators to offer voice calls using operator-specific calling cards.

In its recommendations on “Provision of calling cards by national and international long distance operators”, TRAI has said this facility would help a consumer exercise choice of long distance operator for the national and international calls through calling cards. It will also encourage competition besides making available affordable and innovative tariff plans.

“Consumer can subscribe to any access provider and still not be dependent on the access provider for long distance calls. Through long distance calling cards customer can make long distance calls from telephone of any access provider,” it said. The authority has therefore recommended amendment of NLD/ILD operators licence conditions to allow them to access customers directly for national and international long distance calls, respectively. Competition brought in by carrier selection was considered important for bringing in operational efficiencies in the long distance segment and also in offering choice, quality and affordable prices to the consumers.

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