Airtel to reduce monthly rentals in Bhopal, Indore

Airtel will reduce its land line monthly rental from Rs 250 to Rs 180 in Bhopal and Indore. While in B class cities the monthly rental will come up with more free calls on demand.

At present the Rs 180 monthly rental offers Rs 60 call value. "Under the new plan Rs 250 monthly rental calling value has been increased from Rs 60 to Rs 150 under a new classic plan with effect from February 7," sources said, adding, "the option will be available on demand in B Class towns."

Further, they said, "on a top-up of Rs 50 value the STD calls on Airtel in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh will be charged as local calls."

The company has also launched new tariff plans to make its subscriber's phones ring "40 paise per minute tune". It also has slashed STD rates in Madhya Pradesh circle (including Chhattisgarh) further.

The new plans will bring keep make the calling as cheaper as 40 paise per minute to any phone "� mobile or fixed of any operator in the circle. Two of its plans, baptized as Plan 999 and Plan 1499, also offer unlimited calling to local Airtel landlines and on Airtel mobiles. All the three plans offer 40 paise per minute call to any fixed or mobile phone in MP Circle.

Under Plan 499 (monthly Rs 499 rental), any call made outside both state will be charged at Rs 1.99 per minute, which is reduced from current Rs 2.35 per minute. While under Plan 999, a three minute call to any landline or any mobile-phone of any operators will again cost Rs 1.20 per 3-minutes in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. It also offers unlimited calling to local Airtel landlines.

"Customers will get free calling value of Rs 549 under this plan. STD call outside both the Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh will be reduced further to Rs 1.49 per minute," The company said.

Similarly rental 1499 plan "� which is again 40 paise per minute call plan in MP circle, offers Rs 1.49 per minute STD calling. It also offers unlimited local calling to local Airtel landline and Airtel mobile phones.

Subscribers will also get free calling value of Rs 799. This tariff plan is applicable on all minute based plans and is available to all existing and new customers on demand. The tariff is effective from 1 February 2006.

"These initiatives will redefine wired line telephony in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and hugely benefit long distance calling. The new plan will be beneficial for domestic, commercial as well as corporate callers reducing their communication costs," Mr. Deepak Khanna, Chief Operating Officer MP and Chhattisgarh Bharti Tele-ventures Limited (AirTel) said adding, "Internet Plan Home 399 offers unlimited Internet usage at monthly rental of Rs 399. There will be one voice line additional too with this plan. Our subscribers can choose to call or surf without paying any additional rental for the other landline."