Hutch commends TRC for flat rate

The Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC), the country's telecom regulatory authority, has introduced a flat calling rate from February 1. The old dual on-net/off-net tariff structure charged mobile subscribers twice the rate for calling off-net compared to calling on-net. This caused a lot of confusion and difficulties to mobile subscribers as they had to pay higher rates to call their friends and family members who used another network.

Subscribers can now call any number on any network knowing they will be charged the same flat rate. Consumers are also now free to select their preferred mobile service provider without worrying about added cost of calling off-net.

CEO, Hutchison Telecommunications Sri Lanka, Thirukumar Nadarasa said, "Hutch is fully supportive in TRC's efforts to simplify local call rates as this would also mean that customers have the freedom to choose their preferred service provider who they think would provide them with the best products and services."

"Hutch which has gained a reputation for delivering best quality national 3G services now offers an equally competitive voice service that would deliver a complete and affordable mobile service experience," he said.

This rate is not automatically available to existing numbers, however subscribers can switch over to the new flat rate if they wish. The TRC is studying the logistics of converting the existing base of subscribers to the new flat rate and will make another determination on this soon.

Hutch has always been at the forefront of offering the best value service and transparency to subscribers and has immediately implemented this benefit. Hutch will extend this benefit on default 'per second' billing basis, enabling subscribers to instantly extract the most value by paying only for the actual duration of their calls. Customers will be charged only Rs 0.03 per sec for their calls to any network.

With over 65% of the telephone calls being for a duration of less than a minute, and coupling the benefit of flat rate calling, would enable Hutch to deliver maximum saving to customers.