While Bharti and Hutch will reduce the charges from May 1, Idea has not specified a date but a spokesperson said the decision could be taken sooner. The announcement came within hours of Communications and IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran's suggestion that private players should reduce roaming charges.
At a summit organised by the Cellular Operators Association of India, Maran said private operators should emulate Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, which did not charge any roaming tariff and only billed subscribers for long-distance calls.
