But while the minister seems determined to bring telecom tariffs down, actually pulling this off may not be easy because of a mix of factors like resistance from companies and an aversion to state intervention in matters like tariff determination.
The minister himself is cautious on how to go about the exercise. Though he assured Parliament about the need to review tariffs in the wake of suspected cartelization by some operators, Raja has now asked his officials to take up the issue with Trai. Under present rules, the power to set telecom tariffs is vested with Trai.
Telecom minister A Raja says that in PPP terms, mobile call charges in India higher than those in the west
Raja favours cost-based pricing formula, which is used in sectors like power
DoT expected to approach Trai for slashing roaming, SMS and local call rates
Move likely to be bitterly opposed by operators. Even Trai has, of late, said market should determine tariffs.
From: TOI, December-20-2007
