BSNL cuts international and local call rates for Diwali

New Delhi: Pubic sector telecom major Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has announced a Diwali bonanza by slashing call rates to the US, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Iraq by up to 20 per cent, in addition to reduced intra circle local rates which are down by 33.33 per cent to 50 per cent, exclusively for its landline and WLL customers.

The new rates will be effective from Thursday 8 November.

Call charges to the US and Canada have been reduced by 16.67 per cent to Rs6, from the earlier Rs7.60 per minute. Moreover, the alternate premium packages see the rates decline further to Rs4 per minute.

The offer is available from 8 November 2007 to 6 January 2008.

Call rates to Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Iraq have been reduced by 20 per cent to Rs9.60, from the erstwhile Rs12 per minute.

Intra-circle calls from BSNL landline and WLL phones to other landline/WLL/mobile phones on the same network have been reduced by 33.33 per cent to 50 per cent under peak and off-peak hours.

During peak hours, intra-circle calls would be charged at a 90 second pulse in lieu of the standard 60 second pulse, which translates to 80 paise per minute against the existing Rs1.20 per minute. Under the alternate or premium plans, call rates would come down to 53 paise per minute.

The intra-circle pulse rate for off-peak hours will be 120 seconds, against the existing 60 second pulse, reducing call rates to 60 paise per minute against the prevailing Rs1.20 per minute. Under premium plans, these rates would come down further to 40 paise per minute.