India\u2019s largest mobile services firm, Bharti Airtel, has hiked call rates in six telecom circles. \nThe company has raised rates by 20 per cent. This is the first hike by Bharti in nearly three years, states NDTV.
\nMost calls would now cost 1.2 paise per second from the earlier 1 paise per second.
\nBharti is the second telcom firm to hike tariffs after Tata Docomo. Tata Docomo had hiked prepaid tariffs in Tamil Nadu.
\nIn a statement the company said, \u201cTelecom is probably the only industry where despite increasing inflation, tariffs have been falling unabatedly.
\nContinuously declining margins, high 3G & BWA auction prices, constrained spectrum and rural roll out aspirations leave us with little choice but to make some price corrections.
\nWe are committed to enhance value for our customers through continued investments in network, technology, customer experience and life enriching services\u201d.
\nBharti has also announced an increase in the pre-paid tariff rates of its \u2018Advantage\u2019 pack.
\nThe company announced that users of advantage packs, which are based on per minute billing, will have to pay 60 paise per minute for local and STD calls to mobile phones and 90 paise for local and STD calls to landlines.
\nFurthermore, Re 1 and `1.5 will be charged for local and national SMSes, respectively.
\nExisting users will have to pay for new rates after the validity of their existing voucher ends.
\nThere is no increase in the tariff of its \u2018Freedom\u2019 pack, which is based on per second billing.
\nStocks of Bharti closed 4 per cent higher on the Bombay Stock Exchange.<\/p>\n
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