(a) whether S.T.D. rate on mobile to mobile has been made cheaper ;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether some operators have expressed their resentment against it;
(d) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the number of national and multinational companies working in the field of mobile service in the country at present?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY(SHRIMATI SUMITRA MAHAJAN)
(a) & (b): Sir, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is responsible for fixation of tariffs for telecom Services in the country. For Long Distance calls, presently the service providers are permitted to offer alternate tariff package apart form the standard tariff package prescribed by TRAI. As per the information furnished by TRAI, STC rates payable by cellular subscribers of some private companies have been revised to Rs, 2.99 per minute for calls made to distance beyond 50 Kms. This rate is offered in pursuance to Agreements between a private Long Distance Operator and the Cellular Operators.
(c) & (d): Association of Basic Telephone Operators (ABTO) have represented against it on the ground that the offered tariff of Rs. 2.99 by some of the Cellular Operators is more than the tariff approved for a distance slab of 50 to 200 Kms. in both peak and off-peak hours and also more during off-peak hours for the distance slab 200 to 500 Kms.
(e) Licences for Cellular Mobile Telephone Service (CMTS) are granted only to Indian registered companies and not to foreign companies. However, a Multinational / foreign company can be a partner of the Licensed Indian Registered Company. At present 25 Indian registered companies including two public sector undertakings have been granted Licences for CMTS.