Nepal earthquake: BSNL, Airtel, MTNL pitch in with local, free calls
New Delhi: Telephone calls made on BSNL network to earthquake-hit Nepal for the next three days will attract only local call rates, the state-owned company said.
The move is aimed at enabling Indians to connect with their near and dear ones in Nepal, which saw several hundreds dead following a massive earthquake today.
A decision to cut call rates was taken following a meeting chaired by the Cabinet Secretary and with approval of Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Read: India rushes NDRF personnel and relief material to earthquake-hit Nepal
"All calls that will be made from BSNL network will be charged at per local call rate for next three days," BSNL CMD Anupam Shrivastava told PTI.
The normal charge for a call to Nepal costs a consumer Rs 10/minute.
Nearly 1,500 people were killed after a powerful earthquake measuring 7.9 on Richter scale struck Nepal today flattening houses and buildings including the centuries-old Dharhara tower and triggering an avalanche on Mt Everest.
Read: Historic Dharara Tower collapses in Kathmandu after 7.9 earthquake
Shrivastava said BSNL customers would be billed for calls made to Nepal as per the local call rates they had opted for themselves.
"People have opted for different kind of plans. Those who have opted for per second billing plan will be charged as per their plan and those who have opted for per minute calling will be charged on per minute basis. So, now they can make calls to Nepal for about one paisa per second or Re1/minute," Shrivastava said.
Airtel also announced free calls to Nepal on its network over the next 48 hours.
"We are deeply saddened by the severe impact that one of the worst earthquakes in Nepal has had on the lives of its people," Airtel said in a statement.
"As a small gesture during this hour of crisis, we have decided to offer all calls on the Airtel network from India to Nepal completely free of cost for the next 48 hours effective midnight, thus enabling customers across the country get in touch with their families and friends in Nepal," it added.
