Wednesday, January 5 2005 22:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Telecom tariffs may come down further with telecom regulator TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) likely to announce tomorrow (Jan 6, 2005) lower rates of Access Deficit Charge, a levy paid by private operators to BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) for rural operations.

TRAI is understood to have reduced the ADC substantially on international calls, both incoming and outgoing, besides local and STD calls, sources said.

Currently, private operators pay Rs 4.25 per minute as ADC on international calls.

Sunil Mittal of Bharti Group, had earlier said there was scope for upto 30 per cent reduction in telecom tariffs, provided the levies paid by the operators were reduced.

On the other hand, BSNL had warned that tariff of fixed line phones may go up in case TRAI reduced ADC quantum to it from the current Rs 5000 crore.

TRAI sources indicated that imposition of ADC will now be uniform across the country as against different distance slabs starting from 40 paise to Rs 4.25.

Asked whether TRAI would ensure that quantum of ADC accrued to BSNL remained unchanged at about Rs 5000 crore annually, sources said "care has been taken in this regard".

TRAI is also likely to increase the termination charges from the existing 80 paise, as demanded by the private cellular operators supported by PSU BSNL.