Wait for free incoming calls

The TRAI move is being seen in several quarters as the government’s discomfort in hiking local call rates at a time when all calls on mobile, perceived as upmarket services, have been falling along with STD and ISD tariffs.

While the official reason for the delay in the implementation of the tariff order has been cited as the issue of interconnect user charge, which was the bone of contention between cellular and WLL players as various telecom service providers still need time for filing alternate tariff plans.

‘‘The various proposed alternate tariff plans have been received from service providers between March 10-24 and need detailed consideration and revision,’’ the TRAI said in a statement while extending the deadline for implementing the IUC regime by one month.

Since both IUC and alternate tariff plans, if approved, need to be implemented simultaneously, the service providers have been asked to file their plans latest by April 3 so that IUC and different tariff could be implemented from May 1.

Earlier, TRAI on January 24 had announced revised tariffs for basic telecom services including WLL-based limited mobility services offering reciprocal IUC to cellular players.

It is pertinent to note that a case between cellular and WLL players is coming for hearing in the Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) from March 31 onwards.

Cellphone operators have stated that they were ready for the implementation of the TRAI order and will now face a tough time with their 11 million subscribers hauling them over coals after promising them free incoming calls even from landline and WLL phones anywhere in the country.