(a) whether the Government proposes to provide free roaming services for mobile telephony
in the States adjoining National Capital Region (NCR);
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the number of States adjoining NCR where roaming
services have been made free;
(c) whether the Government proposes to introduce free roaming services in the entire country;
(d) if so, the time by which it is likely to be implemented; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI GURUDAS KAMAT)
(a) & (b) As per the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act of 1997, the power to
regulate tariff of telecom services in the country is vested with TRAI. TRAI, in exercise of
its powers, has notified tariff for national roaming service vide Telecommunication Tariff
(44th Amendment) Order notified on 24th January, 2007. This order, inter-alia prescribed a
composite ceiling charges for regional/national roaming as follows:-
(i) Rs. 1.40 per minute for outgoing local calls;
(ii) Rs. 2.40 per minute for outgoing NLD calls;
(iii) Rs. 1.75 per minute for incoming calls;
(iv) No rental permitted in any form.
Service providers have been given flexibility to determine tariff for roaming service
within the above prescribed ceiling and this is applicable for States adjoining NCR also.
(c) As stated above, service providers are free to offer roaming services at tariffs within
the prescribed ceilings of TRAI. Therefore, Service Providers are at liberty to offer roaming
service free of charge.
(d) & (e) Do not arise in view of (c) above.