BSNL challenges interconnect usage charges norm of TRAI

NEW DELHI: State-run BSNL on Monday challenged the interconnect usage charges regulation of TRAI before the sectoral tribunal TDSAT, in which the regulator has reduced the mobile termination charges to 20 paise from the existing 30 paise.

A senior BSNL official told PTI, "Yes we have challenged the TRAI regulation of March 9 before the TDSAT and the hearing would be held tomorrow."

The PSU has prayed to the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal to stay the March 9 regulation.

According to the official, the PSU in its petition contended that the mobile termination charges should be at least three-four times for the fixed lines.

Termination charges are paid by one operator to another on whose network the call ends.

BSNL, according to the official, feels a lower termination charge would hurt its overall revenue income, as being an all-India player, most of the calls end on its fixed line network.

Termination charge for all types of domestic calls like fixed to fixed, fixed to mobile, mobile to fixed and mobile to mobile was reduced to 20 paise per minute from 30 paise per minute.