The Hindu Business Line : Bharti urges review of ADC on roaming calls

BHARTI Tele-Ventures Ltd said it is eyeing 50 million telecom subscribers by 2007 and that it plans to roll out 10,000 cellular base stations across the country.

The company plans to expand its fixed line and broadband services with an investment of Rs 3,500 crore during the current fiscal.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharti Tele-Ventures, said, "We will roll out 10,000 base stations in the second, third and fourth tier towns during this financial year."

Mr Mittal criticised TRAI's (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) move to impose access deficit charges on national and international roaming calls. "It looks like TRAI has imposed a cess on roaming subscribers," he said, at the launch of a car rally across 7,000 km to commemorate the brand's presence in 23 telecom circles. He indicated that ADC could result in an increase in STD and ISD charges.

The company said it would appeal to TRAI to review its decision. TRAI had imposed an ADC of Rs 3.25 a minute on international roaming calls and 30 paise a minute on national subscribers.

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