This refers to the report “Tata DoCoMo unveils aggressive 3G tariff” (November 10). With respect to the comparison made with BSNL’s 3G services, I would like to make the following points.
- BSNL data plans are by default bundled with voice tariff plans, which is Plan 99 in the case of post-paid data and General 120 in the case of prepaid data. The voice call rates are 49 paise a minute under Plan 99 and 50 paise a minute (on-net) and 70 paise a minute (off-net) under General 120 without any fixed monthly charges for the voice facility. Moreover, the customer can choose any of the post-paid voice plans for a further reduction in voice call rates. So, by paying Rs 500, he may be able to get much more than what is available in DoCoMo’s bundled plan.
- You have said that BSNL’s package is a promotional one valid for three months from November 2010. In a competitive market, the customer is always concerned with the present tariff and not the tariff after three months. Since the initial cost for activation is just Rs 59, the customer is free to choose the tariff plan of the operator that suits him the best at that time. Nobody knows for sure whether a tariff plan will continue or be withdrawn after a three-month promotional period. Therefore, the comparison should be made on the basis of the tariff that is available in the market; otherwise the point should be made clear to the public.
- The voice call charge for the post-paid plan is not Rs 1 but 50 paise per minute.
- Also, BSNL charges Rs 549 for 1 GB in the daytime plus 5GB at night, which makes for a total of 6 GB. For 1GB, the regular tariff is Rs 399, which is being offered at Rs 319. With service tax, that comes around Rs 350.
Tata DoCoMo is offering video calls at 5 paise per second, which comes to Rs 3 for a minute whereas BSNL charges 70 paise for a video call. 3G is not primarily a voice service. There is no difference between 3G and 2G voice. The real differential is in data, which facilitates other services and applications. Tata DoCoMo is offering cheaper voice calls and charging more for data and video calls.
S K Bhardwaj, New Delhi
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