In a move that can lower the tariff charges, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has proposed a sharp cut of about 35 percent for making calls and up to 80 percent for sending messages while roaming.
As per the latest draft amendment of Telecommunication Tariff Order, the telecom regulator has proposed to cut down maximum charges that can be imposed on outgoing local calls during roaming to 65 paise per minute, from ceiling rate of Re 1 per minute and it has also proposed to cut STD call rates during roaming to Re 1 per minute, from maximum charge of Rs 1.5 per minute.
TRAI has said that local SMS should be charged 20 paise maximum compared Rs 1 that can be charged at present while roaming. TRAI has proposed 25 paise per STD SMS sent by customers when they are roaming, compared to the ceiling tariff of Rs 1.5 per SMS now.
Through the amendment order, the TRAI aims to reduce the ceiling tariffs for national roaming services; it has sought comments from stakeholders by March 13, following which it will issue the final order.