BSNL slashes international and local call rates

NEW DELHI: State-run telecom major BSNL on Wednesday announced its Diwali bonanza by slashing call rates to the US, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Iraq by up to 20 per cent and reduced intra circle local rates by 33.33-50 per cent from its landline and WLL phones.
    
The new rates will be effective from Thursday.
    
The call charges to the US and Canada have been reduced by 16.67 per cent to Rs 6 from Rs 7.60 per minute, BSNL said in a statement here. However, in alternate premium packages, the rates decline to Rs 4 per minute.
    
The offer is available from November 8- January 6, 2008 period.
    
The rates to Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Iraq has been reduced by 20 per cent to Rs 9.60 from Rs 12 per minute.
    
The intra circle calls from BSNL landline and WLL phones to landline/WLL/mobile phones to the same network has been reduced by 33.33-50 per cent under peak/off-peak hours.
    
During peak hours, intra circle calls would be charged at 90 second pulse from the existing 60 second pulse i.e 80 paise per minute from existing Rs 1.20 per minute. The call rates under alternate plans (premium) would come down to 53 paise per minute.
    
The intra circle pulse rate during off-peak hours will be 120 second from the existing 60 second, which will reduce the call rates to 60 paise per minute from Rs 1.20 per minute.
    
However, under premium plans, the call rates would come down to 40 paise per minute.