Per Second Billing Model (Not) Mandatory?
Ever since Tata Docomo made a splash in the indian telecom market with per second billing, TRAI has begun to mull over whether to make it compulsory or not. After the initial speculation surrounding this decision and the concerns over falling ARPUs expressed by the telecom operators, TRAI has finally decided to commision a consultation paper to study the matter and make recommendations by end of this year.
Per second billing would definitely mean lower ARPUs for the telecom operators, but will it help increase penetration? Is voice dying as a revenue source, just in time for the 3G roll outs in the country? Or does this mean that incoming calls will now be charged (per second alright, but both ways, like in the US)? And for lack of better options, will operators start charging for “missed calls” and offer a minimum number of “free missed calls” service as a freebie along with connections? Will per second billing be really good for consumers if the telecom operators’ interests are not taken care of?
However, in the meanwhile, TRAI has said that telecom operators are free to use per second billing as part of their product offering mix. It remains to be seen, even before the consultation report comes out how the per second billing wars pan out on the Indian turf. More power to cheaper, faster, stronger!
