The Telecom Commission has permitted mobile subscribers to buy and use NLD and ILD calling cards offering the lowest tariff, irrespective of their service provider. Currently, subscribers can only avail themselves of the NLD and ILD tariffs offered by their service provider, and cannot access rates offered by other companies.

Globally, long distance tariffs have fallen by 20-53 per cent after customers were allowed to choose their operator. The move implies that companies like RailTel, Power Grid, Tulip IT Services and foreign operators such as British Telecom, AT&T, Verizon, France Telecom and Cable & Wireless can sell their long distance services directly to customers in India.