BSNL reduces STD rates

All STD calls from landlines can now be made under Rs 1.20 per minute with the from existing Rs 2.40 to all networks in general and the 'Sulabh plan'. For its rural customers the company has slashed its STD rates to as low as 0.80 paise per minute. 

While stepping into the price war, BSNL has also reduces its STD call charges in cellular services ranges from 40-50 per cent. The STD charges for the wireless services has been cut to Rs 1.20 per minute.

"On the mobile network also the tariff has been brought down from Rs 2.20 on BSNL network to Rs 1.20 and to other networks its has been brought down from Rs 2.40 to Rs 1.20," BSNL chief managing director, Kuldeep Goyal said.     

The PSU has also reduced prices under pre-paid and post-paid services to bring it in tandem with the private telcos . The roaming charges for all incoming calls have been reduced to Re 1 per minute from Rs 1.75.

The recharge option on the 'Super One India Plan' has also been reduced substantially to Rs 299 from Rs 799.  

In April, Bharti Airtel had led the way, by reducing its STD rates to a flat Rs 1.50 for its pre-paid as well as postpaid customers. This was followed by Reliance Communications' announcement also announced Unlimited Free STD calls for all existing and new Reliance Mobile customers across post-paid, pre-paid and Hello Fixed Wireless Phone customers.

Vodafone Essar followed by reducing its  STD calls to Rs 1.30 per minute to any destination within India. While Aditya Birla Group owned, Idea Cellular brought its STD tariffs down to Rs 1.30.

"This is not a question of being late, our tariffs will be a trend setter, may be they will bring about a further reduction in prices, since we will offer the lowest STD tariffs now," added Goyal.