Click to play videoNew Delhi: BSNL and MTNL have cut roaming tariffs to zero for the first 300 minutes. From now on outgoing roaming charges will be at Re 1 per minute and incoming charges post 300 minutes will be Re 1 per minute as well.
The new rates will be applicable from June 3. Both operators are expecting 20-25 per cent jump in traffic from this scheme.
This is in line with former telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran's promise of slashing roaming charges on the birthday of his party chief M Karunanidhi.
''We expect a significant jump in our traffic and volumes,'' PTI quoted BSNL CMD A K Sinha as saying.
Both the operators will offer ISD calls to the US, Canada and Russia at Re 1.75 per cent, Sinha added.
On this occasion, Communication and IT Minister A Raja said other private operators are likely to join the bandwagon in a couple of days, as talks are on with few of them.
When asked about the scrapping of domestic roaming charges as announced by his predecessor Dayanidhi Maran, Maran said, ''No exercise has been done in this regard. This is a first step and we can go along with other future plans.''
''A comprehensive and exhaustive policy document in this regard is likely to be placed in the coming Parliament session,'' Raja added.
Raja had earlier said his department was looking at the possibility of lowering the domestic roaming charges, as planned by Mr Maran.
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