NEW DELHI, India-Leading Indian GSM service providers have virtually launched a tariff war, forcing industry leaders to consider a regime where all incoming calls will be free irrespective of networks.
The leaders, Airtel and Hutch, last month made incoming calls free in their respective circles. First this facility was offered as an alternative package, then it was extended to all the circles where they operate. Now, Airtel, has made incoming calls free for its customers, even from other networks. This facility, which will cost an additional fee of 75 rupees (US$1.54) per month, has been launched in the Gujarat circle, but will soon be available in all the areas where Airtel operates.
Free incoming calls, at a little extra charge every month, may soon be a nationwide phenomenon. The industry body, Cellular Operators’ Association of India (COAI), is talking to all its members to make incoming calls free across networks.
Talking to Global Wireless, COAI Director Gerenal T V Ramachandran said the business development committee of the association is also considering waiving airtime charges on mobile-to-mobile national and international long-distance calls. The operators would earn revenues by way of a fixed fee.
“We want to expand the market and make services affordable,” he added.
The move is being seen as a bold step to wean away customers from cheaper limited mobility services likely to be rolled out by government-owned and some private operators in a few months.
