Idea introduces per-second billing option in Himachal

Idea cellular today introduced per-second pulse rate for its subscribers in Himachal Pradesh, intensifying the already existing tariff war among operators.

The 'Super Second' plan will allow customers to make local and STD calls on any network in India at the rate of 1 paise per second.

Idea cellular becomes the first operator after telecom regulator TRAI suggested earlier this week that per second pulse should be made a mandatory option along with other tariff plans.

The move could lead to differences among the GSM operators as a section of old service providers have opposed making per-second pulse option mandatory saying tariffs are under forbearance and should be left to market forces.

Idea Cellular has also lowered rates for local and long distance calls to any network for its customers in Himachal.

Under 'Super Saral' local calls will be charged at 40 paisa a minute and STD at 60 paisa a minute.

To avail of the tariff plan, existing prepaid subscribers will have to buy a voucher at Rs 26, and new subscribers for Rs 48, an Idea release said here today.

"This is yet another 'first from Idea' to offer world class and affordable telephony services to mobile consumers in the region," Anish Roy Chief Operating Officer-Idea circle for Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu said. The new tariff vouchers will be available at My Idea Showrooms and Idea Points in Himachal.