Thursday, January 6 2005 16:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Tariffs of STD and ISD calls will come down with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today (Jan 6, 2005) reducing the Access Deficit Charge, a levy paid by private operators to BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd).

TRAI has reduced the ADC component on the ISD calls by over 41 per cent to Rs 2.50 a minute from the existing rate of Rs 4.25 and by 62 per cent on STD calls beyond 50 kms to 30 paise from the existing 80 paise.

Major telecom players like Bharti, Hutch and Reliance have said they would pass on the full benefits to their subscribers.

The new regime would not upset the total ADC amount going to BSNL at Rs 5,000 crore annually, TRAI Chairman Pradip Baijal told reporters after announcing the new regime.

Rates of local calls, whether cell-to-cell, cell to fixed line or fixed line to cell, are unlikely to undergo any change, as the structure for ADC component for these has remained unchanged.

TRAI also said fixed line operators like Bharti, Reliance and Tatas (other than BSNL) would retain ADC only on their outgoing calls. ADC on all other calls will be provided to BSNL, it added.

"This will keep the ADC burden low, while also maintaining the overall ADC amount to BSNL and other fixed line operators unchanged," TRAI said in a statement.