(a) whether the share of profit of the Government earned from the long distance calls by he private mobile operators has since been discontinued after launching of limited mobile facility;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(c) if not, the present share of the Government in the profit viz-a-viz its earlier share?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)
(a) to (c): Sir, at present, the private Cellular Mobile Telephone Operators pass on 100% revenue collected from their subscribers on account of call charges towards fixed leg of calls, including long distance calls, to Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited/Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited. However, after introduction of the use of subscriber hand-held set in WLL (Wireless in Local Loop) technology limited in local area, commonly known as Limited Mobility, by existing as well as future Basic Service Operators, 5% of the charges collected by the cellular operators for the fixed leg of the call will be retained by the them.