TRAI recommends choice of operator for STD, ISD calls

Telecom regulator recommends that national and international long distance operators be permitted to offer STD and ISD voice calls using operator-specific calling cards.

Telecom regulator TRAI on Wednesday recommended that national and international long distance operators be permitted to offer STD and ISD voice calls using operator-specific calling cards, a move that will give subscribers the freedom to choose a service provider.

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In its recommendations to the government, TRAI said the provision of calling cards would allow consumer to exercise choice of long distance operator for the national and international calls.

"Through long distance calling cards customer can make long distance calls from telephone of any access provider. Consumer can subscribe to any access provider and still not be dependent on the access provider for long distance calls," TRAI said in a statement.

The authority has therefore recommended amendment of NLD/ILD operators licence conditions to allow them to access customers directly for national and international long distance calls respectively.

Competition brought in by carrier selection was considered important for bringing in operational efficiencies in the long distance segment and also in offering choice, quality and affordable prices to the consumers.

Telecom sector was in the process of opening up and availability of carrier selection was considered an important pre-requisite for vibrant competition.