Calling abroad set to become cheaper by 23% TIMES NEWS NETWORK [ FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2006 01:41:56 AM]
Surf 'N' Earn -Sign in now DELHI: ISD calls may fall about 23% from next month as the new access deficit charge (ADC) regime will be implemented from March 1. Trai reduced ADC on outgoing ISD calls to 80 paise per minute from Rs 2.50 per minute. On incoming calls ADC has been reduced to Rs 1.60 from Rs 3.25 per minute. ADC is a cess imposed on long distance and mobile calls and passed on to BSNL to subsidise its services in rural areas. Trai has also done away with the system of charging ADC on per minute basis on STD and domestic mobile calls. Under the new regime, ADC will be about 1.5% of the adjusted gross revenue (ARG) and will be applicable on all fixedline and mobile calls. The revenue share component of ADC will also be applicable on ISD calls. This means that for making an ISD call, the total ADC will be 80 paise per minute plus 1.5% of the call charges. Currently, a customer has to pay an ADC of 30 paise per minute on STD and all mobile calls. Now, a call to the US costs Rs 7.20 per minute on BSNL network. The effective ADC, under the new regime will be about 86 paise. This means that the call charges will be reduced by about Rs 1.64 per minute to Rs 5.56 per minute. This is under assumption that the operators pass on all the benefits of reduced ADC regime to the customers. For incoming ISD calls, ADC has been reduced to Rs 1.60 per minute from Rs 3.25 per minute. This will not have any impact on tariffs in India, however, foreign operators may pass on this reduction to their subscribers making calls to India cheaper for them by Rs 1.60 per minute. This will help in curbing grey market, said Pradip Baijal, chairman of Trai. Trai has also reduced carriage charge for STD calls to a upper ceiling of 65 paise per minute from the existing rate of up to Rs 1.10 per minute for calls beyond 500 km. For calls within 0-50 km segment, earlier carriage charges were Rs 0.20 per minute. This will definitely help private operators in offering OneIndia tariff. The new STD rates, however, will be driven by the OneIndia scheme that BSNL is offering to its customers. Continued... Read further http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshowindia/1426483.cms [EMAIL PROTECTED] for Goa & NRI related info... http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/ for Goa & Goa Flights info.. http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/LetsGotoGoa ___________________________________________________________ To help you stay safe and secure online, we've developed the all new Yahoo! Security Centre. http://uk.security.yahoo.com
