Videocon makes incoming calls free on roaming

Videocon Mobile Services, part of the $4-billion Videocon Group, has made incoming calls free while on roaming, with immediate effect.

''There are no strings attached to the proposition, no special tariff vouchers, nor recharges are required," Videocon Mobile Services Director and CEO Arvind Bali said.

Telecom minister Kapil Sibal has said that the government will bring in the free national roaming regime before October this year. In December 2012, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had floated a consultation paper, seeking industry opinion on the national free roaming.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had floated a pre-consultation paper seeking inputs from stakeholders on tariff for national roaming services. On Tuesday, the telecom regulatory had extended the date for comments on review of tariffs for national roaming to April 5, from the earlier March 18.

Videocon operates in four circles - Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat - while it has licence to operate in seven. The company is finalising its plans to start operations in rest of the circles - Bihar, Uttar Pardesh East and West.

"We will absorb the expenses that will be incurred on free incoming calls while roaming," Bali added.

On 30 January Aircel launched 'One Nation, One Rate', a service that offers a single rate for voice, SMS and data in home circles and also for roaming. The product does not only do away with roaming charges but also provides lucrative voice, SMS and data tariffs.