Telecom players offer free calling to users in Kashmir

BSNL, Airtel, Vodafone and Reliance Communications will offer the facility for a limited period of time

Even as telecom services are being restored in Kashmir Valley, mobile operators are offering free calling facility in the region.

Telecom operators including BSNL, Airtel, Vodafone and Reliance Communications (RCom) will offer free calling facility for a limited period in the Valley.

"Starting yesterday, free calling facility for 60 minutes per day has been extended to all Airtel customers in Kashmir for the next 5 days enabling them to reach out to their loved ones," Airtel said in a statement.

Vodafone also said as directed by DoT, it is providing 60 minutes free calls per day for 5 days for all customers in Kashmir.

State-run BSNL said it will offer free calls(local as well as STD) and free SMS service to all those BSNL customers who will be using its mobile network in Srinagar.

BSNL said not only those customers who belong to that area but also the BSNL customers from other states of North Zone reaching Srinagar area for relief and rescue operations will be able to make free calls.

The facility has already been made available since night of September 11, 2014 and will continue for next 10 days, it said.

"There are no retailers or points where from people can get their accounts topped up. BSNL has, therefore decided to help people in that area by providing free call and SMS service with immediate effect," BSNL Board Director Anupam Shrivastava said.

RCom is offering free calls at its PCOs at relief camps and the duration of each call is fixed at 3 minutes.

Aircel had also offered free calling for its customers on September 10 and 11. But now the operator is not offering free calls.