**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 670, addressed on July 23, 2025, the Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunications, clarifies the government's position on uniform mobile charges and standardization within the telecom sector.
The response indicates that the existing regulatory tariff framework allows for forbearance in telecommunication service tariffs, except for specific services like National Roaming, Rural Fixed Line Services, mobile number portability charges, leased circuits, and USSD. Service providers retain the autonomy to design and offer tariffs based on their assessment of market conditions, including rates for calls, SMS, and data, considering factors such as input costs, competition, and commercial considerations. These offerings must adhere to regulatory principles emphasizing transparency, non-predation, and non-discrimination. The government acknowledges the presence of adequate competition among four telecom operators and notes that Indian telecom tariffs are among the lowest globally and within the region.
Regarding the adoption of USB Type-C as a standard charging port, the response confirms that it is not mandatory for mobile device manufacturers in India.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Communications: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for telecommunications and postal services.
Department of Telecommunications: A department under the Ministry of Communications responsible for telecom policy, licensing, and regulation.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
PROF. SOUGATA RAY: A member of parliament (MP) who raised the question about uniform mobile charges.
Minister of COMMUNICATION: The minister in charge of the Ministry of Communications.
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR: The Minister of State answering the question on behalf of the Ministry of Communications and Rural Development.
India: The country to which the policy applies; mentioned in the context of mobile services and telecom sector.
USB TypeC: A type of connector; discussed in the context of standard charging ports for electronic products.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 670
ANSWERED ON 23RD JULY, 2025
UNIFORM MOBILE CHARGES
670. PROF. SOUGATA RAY:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:
(a) the reasons for not a single/ uniform charge for all mobile services in India;
(b) whether the Government has any proposal for the standardisation of certain charges and fees
within the telecom sector in the country;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) if not, the reasons for not implementing uniform service charges and tariffs in the sector;
(e) whether it is mandatory that mobile device makers adopt USB Type-C as the standard
charging port for electronic products in the country; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) to (d) As per the existing regulatory tariff framework, tariff for telecommunication service
is under forbearance except for services such as National Roaming, Rural Fixed Line Services,
mobile number portability charges, leased circuits and USSD. Subject to compliance with extant
regulatory provisions, service providers are free to design and offer tariffs based on their
understanding of the market situation.
Service providers have the flexibility to decide various tariff components like the rates for
different types of calls, SMS, data offers etc. with multiple combinations including recharge value
and validity for different service areas of their operation.
Tariffs are offered by service providers taking into account several factors including input costs,
level of competition and other commercial considerations, subject to their compliance with
regulatory principles which include, inter alia, the principles of transparency, non-predation and non-
discrimination.
It may be noted that adequate competition exists in the market with four telecom operators
offering competitive plans in the market. It may also be noted that the Indian telecom tariffs are
amongst the lowest in the world and in India's neighbourhood as well.
(e) &(f) It is not mandatory in India for mobile device manufacturers to adopt USB Type-C as
the standard charging port for electronic products.
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