Indian telecom service provider Bharti Airtel has decided to drop its plans to increase VoIP rate.
The decision to drop its proposed VoIP package comes in the wake of wide spread criticism from Airtel users. If Airtel decided to go ahead with the tariff plan, it would have impacted the business of free messaging companies or OTT such as Facebook-owned Whatsapp, Skype, Viber, etc which offer free voice calls over the internet.
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“In view of the news reports that a consultation paper will be issued by TRAI on issues relating to services offered by OTT players including VOIP, we have decided not to implement our proposed launch of VoIP packs,” said Airtel in a statement.
Airtel last week said the VoIP pack — for prepaid users — will be priced at Rs 75 for 75MB with a validity of 28 days, enabling VoIP users to make 200 and 250 minutes of calling. Airtel was also planning to launch VoIP plans for postpaid customers. Airtel said there will be no other charges in respective of VoIP calls.
Bharti Airtel was planning to introduce new VoIP tariff in a phased manner over the next few weeks.
The company earlier clarified that its prepaid customers who have purchased data plans before 24 December 2014 are entitled to use all services opted-for till their packs are consumed or expire.
“We have no doubt that as a result of the consultation process a balanced outcome would emerge that would not only protect the interests of all stakeholders and viability of this important sector but would also encourage much needed investments in spectrum and roll out of data networks to fulfil the objective of digital India,” Airtel added.
Baburajan K
editor@telecomlead.com
