BSNL cuts ISD rates for US, Canada, Gulf

New Delhi: BSNL, state-run telecom major, has brought down calling rates to the US and Canada to Rs 1.75 per minute and Rs 6.75 per minute to the Gulf, slightly lower than the rates offered by private firms. US, Canada and Gulf are the busiest ISD routes from India, and with the drop of rates, the company hopes to scale up volumes. Private players at present offer ISD calls at Rs 1.99 per minute to the US and Rs 6.99 a minute for the Gulf countries. BSNL will soon unveil Call Now, a new STD/ISD calling card that will enable a user to call in the US at Rs 1.75 per minute using a card worth Rs 2,000, which will have a validity of three months. Call charges on the same card are Rs 3.25 per minute to France, Russia, the UK and South East Asia, Rs 5.50 per minute to the rest of Europe and Sri Lanka, and Rs 8 per minute to the rest of the world. Local and STD calls will be charged Re 1 per minute under the plan.