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HYDERABAD, May 10

IN yet another initiative, Idea Cellular Ltd, a major cellular services operator, on Saturday announced new tariff regime that seeks to cut rental by 23 per cent to Rs 269 a month for post-paid users and also removes different rates for calls to cell, WLL (wireless in local loop) and landline. This new tariff, to be introduced from May 11, has the potential to kick up yet another price war.

Launching the new tariff structure across circles, Mr Vikram J. Mehmi, officiating Chief Executive Officer of Idea cellular Ltd, in a statement said "by offering the simplest tariff plans at a time when consumer is very confused about the impact of IUC (interconnection user charge) regime and multitude of possible billing parameters for different type of calls, Idea Cellular has shown the spirit of a leader.."

While removing different rates for different calls, Idea is now offering a single rate plan for cell-to-cell, cell-to-landline and WLL calls.

The new rate applicable will be Rs 1.99 for the post-paid segment and Rs 2.49 for pre-paid segment with a monthly rental of Rs 269, which reflects a drop of about 23 per cent on rental itself.

Further, there is 50 per cent saving for calls made during night-time.

Mr Mehmi said in the cost-conscious Indian economy, "our tariff plans offer the most affordable way to go mobile for a common man.

The pre-paid segment, which accounts for over 80 per cent of the market, has reasons to rejoice with an option to go mobile at a rental of as low as Rs 125 only."

With this move, Idea Cellular is also offering STD at Rs 1.99 per minute and ISD calls at Rs 15.99 per minute for the post-paid customers.

In the case of pre-paid customers STD rate is Rs 3.99 per minute, cell to cell is Rs 2.99 per minute and ISD rate works out to Rs 16.99.

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