**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 673, answered on July 23, 2025, by the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, the Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunications addressed the issue of uniformity in telecom tariffs and service charges in India.
The response clarified that under the existing regulatory framework, telecom service tariffs are under forbearance, with exceptions for National Roaming, Rural Fixed Line Services, mobile number portability charges, leased circuits, and USSD. Service providers are permitted to design and offer tariffs based on their assessment of market conditions, including rates for calls, SMS, and data, considering factors like input costs, competition, and commercial considerations. These tariffs must comply with regulatory principles of transparency, non-predation, and non-discrimination. The Ministry stated that adequate competition exists within the market, with four telecom operators offering competitive plans, resulting in some of the lowest telecom tariffs globally and within India's neighborhood.
Regarding the adoption of USB Type-C as a standard charging port, the Ministry confirmed 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, Government of India, responsible for telecom policy, licensing, and regulation.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
SHRI KISHORI LAL: Member of Parliament who raised the question about uniformity in telecom tariffs and service charges.
Minister of COMMUNICATION: The minister in charge of the Ministry of Communications, Government of India.
DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR: Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development.
National Roaming: A telecommunication service mentioned as an exception to tariff forbearance.
USB TypeC: A type of USB connector being considered as a standard charging port for electronic products.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 673
ANSWERED ON 23RD JULY, 2025
UNIFORMITY IN TELECOM TARIFFS AND SERVICE CHARGES
673. SHRI KISHORI LAL:
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 standardization 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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