Free Incoming Calls for Lifetime on Cellphones

'Incoming free for lifetime' is the latest mantra of telecom service providers in India. The launch of prepaid cards with lifetime validity for incoming calls is just another attempt to chain customers to a single service provider for life! In India, about 78 per cent of the mobile users are prepaid cardholders and this segment is growing at a very fast pace. And telecom operators are now wooing this segment with newer offers. According to operators, the advantage of this scheme is that a prepaid user can continue to receive incoming calls 'for life' even after the recharge period is over, as against the current system of restricted validity, based on the value of the recharge package.

But will the user actually get incoming calls 'free for life'? Or is there a catch?

Well, this move by the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) service providers is close on the heels of the 'Non-Stop Mobile' scheme launched by Tata Teleservices recently, which allows a customer to receive calls for two years without buying a recharge voucher. This scheme has turned out to be a big hit.

New users are often attracted to the longest validity period offers and these schemes aim to hook a good majority of new subscribers.

Meanwhile, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India officials have raised several doubts on the viability of these schemes. TRAI officials would be examining all the aspects of the schemes and would take necessary steps if required. TRAI has sought details on the lifetime validity schemes from all the service providers.

At a meeting held on January 12, TRAI said that lifetime validity tariff plans raise the following issues:

• Long-term viability and sustainability of these plans.

• Whether lifetime can exceed the balance license period of the operators and if not, would the plans vary in their validity duration.

What will happen to the plans if the traffic patterns and Interconnect User Charges regime changes substantially, and the matter of protection of interest of consumers who are subscribing to the lifetime tariff plan. TRAI expects the final decision in this regard would be taken by February 2006.

So what does 'incoming free for lifetime' actually mean?

First and foremost, it is not 'free for life' as all the service providers specify that the user must recharge every six months to stay mobile! And more importantly, every call you make will be more expensive than the normal prepaid call charge. So there goes the 'free' claim out of the window.

Here's a look at the various plans on offer.

The Airtel offer

Airtel was the first to announce the lifetime validity for incoming calls scheme from among the GSM players. An Airtel mobile user will have to pay Rs 999 to avail of the new scheme, following which the user can receive incoming calls 'free for a lifetime' on the condition that the user recharges the card once every 6 months.

The call charges are much higher than normal charges.According to Airtel, the lifetime prepaid card also offers the user full talk time on every future recharge of any denomination (service tax is of course deducted on cards of any value). The call rates are Rs 1.99 for all local calls and Rs 2.99 for all STD calls.

Hutch's Chalta Rahe

Hutch's lifetime card matches the Airtel rate of Rs 999.The calls charges are at par with Airtel. The rates are: Rs 1.99/minute for all local calls and Rs 2.99/minute for all STD calls. This card of Rs 999 gives you a talk time of just Rs 25. Hutch also offers full talk time on all future recharges and but customers will need to recharge with at least a minimum available recharge of Rs 10 once every 6 months to stay mobile.

This is what the Hutch Website states:

• Validity for lifetime (for incoming calls) is applicable as per license period in each circle and is subject to change in case any regulatory condition changes in the future.

• Connection will be permanently deactivated if no recharge happens for any continuous period of 6 months.

MTNL's Jeevan Sathi

Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd's Jeevan Sathi is available for Rs 900. While the card costs Rs 900, the talk time value is only Rs 100. However, MTNL promises full talk time on future recharge.

'Full talk time' is