India - cell phone service charges are increasing for good
By ravisivan
@ravisivan (14079)
India
September 22, 2012 6:56am CST
Reliance communications - second largest cell phone service provider in India has increased call charges from 1.2 paise per minute to 1.5 paise per minute. This is 25% increase. Other competitors are also expected rise the cell phone service charges.
in India population has helped increase the cell phone service users. some of us -- including myself -- have more than one connection because it is cheaper. But now with the rate getting revised this may result in Reliance losing a few customers to Airtel and other companies or when other companies also raise charges -- I consider it good.Not that i want people to spend more for cell phone.
In India inward calls are not charged. So people go on talk for hours together -- while walking, while travelling in bus/train, while working in office etc. This is taking away the valuable time of many youngsters.
Even in Philipines one member has said that his 13 year old daughter spends hours together on texting and talking over cell phones.
Normally I use to object increase in price of commodities. I consider this increase is good for India -- that its people will spend their time in more useful activities. It includes myself also.
2 people like this
8 responses
@vidhyaprakash_2 (7116)
• India
22 Sep 12
Ravi, shocked to hear about the call charges are increased. I am using Reliance post paid card for my business purpose, as it gives more benefits, my personal number is from Airtel, also i am using reliance data card for my net usage, as you mentioned reliance increased the call charges, it is irritating me, what to do, we must face this kind of inconvenience
.
. @ravisivan (14079)
• India
22 Sep 12
Vidhyaprakash:
I am giving the link:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/news/telecom/Reliance-Communications-raises-call-rates-by-25-others-may-follow-suit/articleshow/16488275.cms?intenttarget=no
may be you will have the present tariff till the period expires. after that you may have to pay increased charges. pl gt it clarified.
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
22 Sep 12
talking of reliance data card -- they revised minimum recharge from 250 to 350. also they have made it compulsory renewal once in six months to once in three months. i am also affected by this.
@vidhyaprakash_2 (7116)
• India
22 Sep 12
Ravi, i am using prepaid data card with unlimited plan, always i recharge with 1300 rupees for 15 GB plan, now i am recharging my card using online method and get 10% extra usage
@prashu228 (37521)
• India
22 Sep 12
i don't think people (youngsters) will minimize their talk time ,with this increase in call rate. I have seen such people, they go on chatting or talking even for ISD calls, lets see if this makes any affect.
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
22 Sep 12
prashu
you are very frank. yes., when I stated this one side I had a doubt whether the children will listen to the words of parents and reduce or go on talking as usual. if it continues parents have to pay more and more. which cell phone service do you use? I use airtel cell phone nowadays more and I also have an aircel connection,.
@prashu228 (37521)
• India
22 Sep 12
i use aircel connection, only because most of my friends send sms , we connect that way, calling is some what less i can say.
@balasri (26537)
• India
23 Sep 12
Well I got to pay a few more rupees for the phone bills of my daughter and wife.
I do not think that it will cut down their usage considerably like the price hike of petrol has not curtailed the use of my car.Prices tend to increase regardless of our laments and writings.Got to beat it by trying to earn more.
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
23 Sep 12
balasri:
your view is also right from one angle. in spite of increase in the price of petrol--the traffic continues to be what it was earlier. Here phone calls can be reduced if people are affected by the increase. if somebody can earn more then it is fine. not all of us can earn more-- fixed income group people are the most affected in this regard.
@ChoukseyMK (1045)
• India
22 Sep 12
i am agree with your views. when everything is increasing why not phone charges. in coming days air for breaathing will be charged.
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
22 Sep 12
yes. considering the increase in price of petrol, gas, dieself, electricity, rice, train fare etc. increase in cell phone charges also is ok. i am only thinking whether it will help the younger generation to use the cell phones more purposefully. may or may not be.
@rajesh_111 (595)
• India
22 Sep 12
I don't agree with you , if Indian govt. would think like this they will increase all the fuel prices to Rs.100 per liter. So that people won't be able to afford driving their vehicle and all the traffic problems are solved.
There should be a self discipline needed in everything we do in our life, anything more than its limit is like a poison.
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
22 Sep 12
rajesh
I welcome your views on this. Petrol price should be reduced so that conveyance charges do not go up. In this case because of lower cell phone service charges younger generation and elders also indulge in long talks resulting in gossip. I was telling about that only,
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
22 Sep 12
Ravi bhai
I am basically BSNL user, my wife, sons, daughter ans most friends have this, so i make calls @20 paise per minute, i had reliance, airtel too, but because it was not used, i found them deactivated, the money there is also gone 
I send sms and make calls to friends in Philippines , but since last 2 months i face problems, the sms remains undelivered ; though it deducts 5 rupees instantly..
When i make calls it goes; but the number displayed there is not my number, naturally it is not received; because the saved name doesn't show up there!!!
I have made several complaints, i am told one company in Hongkong is the intermediate service provider, it plays foul because it has out standing dues!!!!!
Well about increase in charges, we are accustomed to those, our govenment is going to give cell phones with sims having free talk time to get votes; what a shame?
I am basically BSNL user, my wife, sons, daughter ans most friends have this, so i make calls @20 paise per minute, i had reliance, airtel too, but because it was not used, i found them deactivated, the money there is also gone
I send sms and make calls to friends in Philippines , but since last 2 months i face problems, the sms remains undelivered ; though it deducts 5 rupees instantly..
When i make calls it goes; but the number displayed there is not my number, naturally it is not received; because the saved name doesn't show up there!!!
I have made several complaints, i am told one company in Hongkong is the intermediate service provider, it plays foul because it has out standing dues!!!!!
Well about increase in charges, we are accustomed to those, our govenment is going to give cell phones with sims having free talk time to get votes; what a shame?
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
22 Sep 12
Professor bhaiya:
Perhaps you are using a rate cutter and that is why you are charged only 20 paise per minute. this is really cheaper rate.
I read that reliance has disconnected the numbers where people have not used for 2 months continuously. so we have to make at least one call in two months.
The last point -- cell phones with sims have free talk time to be given for getting votes-- it is a news. Is it in Odisha or you making a pun on the situation. ? have an excellent day.
1 person likes this
@surekharathi (14146)
• India
22 Sep 12
Wow!! great news and I think every Company should increase the charges and Govt should also do this in mobile section not in Gas section. Because most college students spend their full night talking on phone. Because Company providing free calling at night time. People should use the mobile when necessary not for time pass. I feel happy but Govt should change the policy of six cylinder.
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
22 Sep 12
Surekha:
yes. People who want to spend time usefully like us will support this move. We will use the cell phone sparingly and only for important purposes. Yes, price of gas should be reduced. In some states they are providing 9 cylinders per year. College students spend time on gossip for hours together on phone and this will get reduced,.
i am giving the link for this news:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/news/telecom/Reliance-Communications-raises-call-rates-by-25-others-may-follow-suit/articleshow/16488275.cms?intenttarget=no
In USA and Canada even inward calls are charged. They have limited time allotted say 150 minutes per month or so depending on plans taken. Such a rule should be brought in India also. I know many will object.
@deazil (4730)
• United States
22 Sep 12
Well, ravi, this is the first time I think I ever heard someone say they were happy for a rate increase in a bill!
And 25% is a really BIG increase. But I understand your logic. It makes perfect sense. As in the US with cable TV. Many people have cancelled it because of cost and they say they have more quality time with family and children are using their time more productively. This is a good thing. I'm glad to see that you have the ability to turn a potentially unpleasant situation into a good opportunity. That's an admirable quality. It will be interesting to see the change in some people when the increase is implemented.
And 25% is a really BIG increase. But I understand your logic. It makes perfect sense. As in the US with cable TV. Many people have cancelled it because of cost and they say they have more quality time with family and children are using their time more productively. This is a good thing. I'm glad to see that you have the ability to turn a potentially unpleasant situation into a good opportunity. That's an admirable quality. It will be interesting to see the change in some people when the increase is implemented.@ravisivan (14079)
• India
22 Sep 12
deazil
When services are offered at a lesser cost or free people misuse it. Instead if it is priced properly people will use it properly. Now I have three or four cell phone connections for two of us. If the rates are increased i will be more careful. I do not talk for more time over cell phone unless it is required.
People who fall into love trap, people who are confused, people who do not know how to spend time, people who like gossips they talk for a longer time over phone.
This increase will affect me financially but it is in the interest of common peopl-- their time is saved.
