BSNL has decided to slash international call rates to Sri Lanka and Middle East, ahead of expected competition from Reliance which has opened a new undersea cable link, Falcon, between India and Middle East.
Call rates to Sri Lanka will come down to 7.20 rupees a minute from 12 rupees a minute and the pulse rate will increase to 10 seconds from six at present, it said in a statement.
''Tariffs have been reduced to offer customers a good choice and to be ahead of the competition,' said BSNL.
Reliance, with its $400 million Falcon cable that links Middle East nations, has tied-up with the firms there and was expected to offer cheaper call rates. Normally, all the firms match lowest tariffs on offer in the market.