The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), through the latest draft amendment of Telecommunication Tariff Order, has proposed a 35 per cent reduction in ceiling tariffs of outgoing local calls during roaming and an 80 per cent reduction in ceiling tariffs for sending SMSs on roaming.

TRAI has proposed to cut maximum charges that can be imposed on outgoing local calls during roaming from Re 1 per minute to Re 0.65 per minute. It has also proposed to cut maximum charge for STD call rates from Rs 1.5 per minute to Re 1 per minute on roaming.

For incoming calls, TRAI has directed telecom companies to charge a maximum of Re 0.45 per minute, instead of Re 0.75 permitted at present. Besides, it has proposed a maximum of Re 0.25 per STD SMS sent for customers while on roaming, compared to the prevailing ceiling tariff of Rs 1.5 per SMS. The regulator has also stated that local SMS should be charged a maximum of only Re 0.20 compared Re 1 that can be levied at present.
TRAI has sought comments from the industry stakeholders by March 13, 2015 after which it will issue the final order.