Question : Use of Landline Telephones

(a) whether the use of landline telephones has decreased considerably and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has assessed/ascertained the reasons for the same and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to promote the usage of landline telephones by lowering the landline tariff on the basis of zero rental or on the lines of mobile phone rates so as to restore/enhance the faith of the people in landline phones and also to utilise the established infrastructure of the Department/ telephone exchanges; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS, LAW & JUSTICE AND
ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)


(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.









STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *235 FOR 4TH DECEMBER, 2019 ON “USE OF LANDLINE TELEPHONES”.

(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. With the increase in coverage of mobile networks, availability of affordable handsets and low mobile tariff, there has been a decrease in use of landline phones over the years. The details for the last four years are as follows:
<pre>
S.No. Date Wireline Subscribers
(in Millions)
1. 31.03.2016 25.22
2. 31.03.2017 24.40
3. 31.03.2018 22.81
4. 31.03.2019 21.70
</pre>
(c) & (d) As per existing tariff framework, fixing of phone tariffs by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is under forbearance. Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have a flexibility to design and offer tariff as per prevalent market conditions, subject to the condition that these tariffs have to be consistent with the regulatory framework and regulatory principles. TRAI has, however, reduced the termination charges for local and national long distance calls for wireline services to zero paisa per minute.
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