The Hindu Business Line : Now it's MTNL's turn to slash ISD rates

A DAY after Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) slashed long distance tariffs, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) has announced a 25-per cent cut in ISD rates starting April 10.

However, it has not reduced STD rates.

According to an official statement from the company, "low rate caller" subscribers in Delhi and Mumbai will have to pay a lower rate of Rs 6 per minute for calls from landlines as against the existing Rs 6.40 per minute, to the US, UK, Canada and any other country with access code of 001.

"High rate callers" to the same region will pay Rs 9 a minute against the previous Rs 9.60.

While low rates are applicable to those who are paying 80 paise per call (3 minutes), those paying Rs 1.20 per call are categorised as high rate callers.

The statement notes that low callers to South-East Asia, comprising Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Thailand, will be paying 25 per cent less at Rs 6 per minute against Rs 8 per minute. High callers will also receive the same benefit at Rs 9 per minute against the existing Rs 12.

Low callers to the Gulf region and African countries will also pay 25 per cent less at Rs 12 a minute against Rs 16. The high callers will get the same percentage of relief at Rs 18 against Rs 24.

Low callers to the rest of the world will pay Rs 12 a minute against Rs 14.12 and high callers Rs 18 against Rs 21.18.

MTNL has also announced that calls on mobile phone to the US, UK, Canada, South-East Asia and any other country with an access code of 001 will be charged at a 20-per cent lower tariff at Rs 12 a minute against Rs 15 earlier. Those calling to the Gulf region and African countries will pay 25 per cent less at Rs 15 per minute against Rs 20. Callers to the rest of the world will pay the same amount at Rs 15 a minute.