SMS rates all set to fall

Trai sources told Deccan Herald on Monday that the regulator is in favour of reducing the rates of both ordinary and premium messaging services. Currently, ordinary SMS rates stand at 50 paise, but it is understood that Trai wants to lower them further.
Trai specifically wants to regulate premium services, used to conduct opinion polls, television game shows and for other competitions, which are charged anywhere between Rs 3 and Rs 15.

Though per-pulse billing is one of several tariff plans offered by operators now, Trai wants to make it mandatory in a bid to increase mobile penetration further.
Sources also revealed that the watchdog is planning to streamline the tariff plans offered by the operators in order to make it les confusing for the customers and release a booklet detailing them.