The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is considering the merger of the Kolkata circle with West Bengal circle and Mumbai with Maharashtra circle. The move will result in zero roaming charges for the subscribers travelling to and from the two cities in the respective states and vice versa. At present, the roaming charges between metro and their respective states are minimal or nil due to fierce competition in market.

DoT will analyse the proposal of the merger after the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) gives its recommendations on the auction of spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands.

Earlier in 2005, the Chennai circle was merged with Tamil Nadu circle after the telecom ministry had asked DoT to merge circles to avoid roaming charges within the same state.