(a) whether the domestic telephone tariff is higher than that of mobile phones;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(c) the percentage of the people using mobile services?
(a) whether the domestic telephone tariff is higher than that of mobile phones;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(c) the percentage of the people using mobile services?
THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DISINVESTMENT (ARUN SHOURIE)
(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 32 FOR 3RD DECEMBER, 2003 REGARDING DOMESTIC TELEPHONE TARIFF.
(a) & (b): It is extremely difficult to compare domestic telephone tariffs for basic and mobile phones because of the large number of tariff packages offered by operators. Moreover, there is no uniform rate of domestic tariff either in basic or in cellular service. The call charges vary between different operators and also depend on Alternative Tariff Packages chosen by a particular subscriber.
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India recently conducted a study on the comparative effective charge per minute for 400 minutes of usage per month in local calls. The result of the study showed the following effective charge per minute in respect of operators with the lowest tariff in each of the categories for fixed service, WLL(M) and cellular service. This is based on data furnished by service providers on 30.6.2003 in their Quarterly Report to TRAI.
Fixed : Re. 0.78 WLL(M) : Re. 0.67 Cellular : Rs. 1.12