In a move to woo foreign visitors to its network, the state-owned telecom behemoth Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has decided to reduce the charges on in-roaming -- international mobile phone users roaming in India -- by 35-40 per cent.
The country's largest telephone services operator, and third largest mobile operator, will implement the new rates in July.
The move is likely to spur a further reduction in roaming charges in the country as private telephony players are expected to follow suit.
According to an industry analyst, at present, the international roaming segment constitutes around Rs 3,000 crore (Rs 30 billion) for the industry and if other companies follow suit, it would result in the basket shrinking to Rs 1,200 crore (Rs 12 billion).
"With the international long distance call (ILD) rates as low as Rs 1.75 per minute and local access charges Re 1 per minute, the international roaming segment was giving good profits to the companies," he said.
According to sources close to the development, the company is looking to also reduce out-roaming charges - for BSNL subscribers roaming overseas -- by 5 per cent.