| | By Subhankar Kundu @ Friday, March 20, 2009 12:28 PM
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| | Roaming SMS charges may come down by 35 to 40 per cent by May 2009.
 The telcos are likely to introduce a reduced tariff plan charging Rs 1.50 to 1.75 ($0.029 to $0.034) in local and national SMSes.
Currently, roaming voice calls cost lesser than SMS. Some telcos charge even for incoming roaming SMSes.
Most big telecom service providers charge between Rs 2.40 ($0.047) and Rs 2.50 ($0.049) for outgoing SMSes.
Each outgoing roaming call costs Rs 1.50 to Rs 2 ($0.039) per minute while each incoming roaming call costs Rs 1 to Rs 1.50 per minute. But, it varies from plan to plan across telecom operators.
With competition increasing among the telecom companies they have adopted the strategy to cut the prices on voice calls.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chairman, Nripendra Mishra has reportedly said that the regulator has made it clear to all operators the current roaming SMS tariff is not acceptable.
The telcos have informed TRAI that they would reduce the tariffs by May 2009.
A senior Airtel official said: “There have been discussions on slashing the roaming SMS tariff. The telcos and the regulator will come out with an amicable decision”.
But he declined to reveal further details on the reduction.
The regulator hasn’t yet issued any directive on the matter so far. X
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