Airtel, Need to sort issues before implementing free roaming

Even as the government is hopeful of implementing free roaming in the country from next year, Bharti Airtel said issues like varied spectrum pricing and tariff in different circles need to be studied before introducing such facilities.

"The issue has to be viewed holistically. Its not just about one part, it includes STD...we have to look at the 22 circles in the country. Every state has different spectrum pricing. Tariffs are different," Bharti Airtel CEO (India and South Asia) Sanjay Kapoor told reporters on the sidelines of an Assocham event.
All these issues have to be studied and then one can comment on the issue, he added.

In September, Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal had said that mobile phone subscribers will not have to pay roaming charges from next year with implementation of "one nation, free roaming" announced earlier this year.

National Telecom Policy 2012, approved in May, aims to abolish roaming charges and allow mobile phone subscribers to use same number across country without having to pay extra charges for services once they are outside their telecom circle.

On reduction of reserve spectrum price for four circles, Kapoor said, "I am not in a position to comment," but added that "lower the prices, higher the participation, and its good for competition in the country".

Asked if Airtel would participate, Kapoor said "we will figure it out".