Tata DoCoMo extends pay-per-use scheme to SMS

Extending its price war, Tata DoCoMo, the GSM brand of Tata Teleservices Ltd (TTSL), has launched a scheme wherein it would only charge one paisa per character in an SMS. This is contrary to the existing practise of levying a fixed charge on each message.

The scheme is called 'Diet-SMS’. The company will not charge for the spaces between the words, TTSL said in a release here today.

“In all the eight circles where we have launched our GSM services, we made the promise of introducing path-breaking innovative products and services, and never-before tariff options. The Diet-SMS service is another way of fulfilling that promise,” Tata DoCoMo President Deepak Gulati said.

“From today, our subscribers will be able to enjoy the benefits of pay-as-you-use even in SMS,” he added. The company will otherwise continue to provide it normal SMS services.

Last week, TTSL launched its pay-per-call service, a plan that turns on its head the conventional wisdom of levying charges on the basis of a pulse rate (each pulse is a 60-second slot). Under the plan, irrespective of the duration, a telephone call will cost Re 1 within a telecom circle and Rs 3 across different circles.

Tata DoCoMo has launched services in eight circles, and is expected to complete nationwide rollout by the end of this year.