New Delhi: Telecom operators, both basic and cellular, appear to be in a state of shock over the new tariff package announced by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), but declined to comment despite their feeling of being let down.

Both Association of Basic Telecom Operators and Cellular Operators Association of India, which have been fighting each other over market share while accusing TRAI of favouring other, were conspicuous by their silence even hours after the announcement of the tariff package by TRAI chief M S Verma.

However, sources in both the association said TRAI had favoured the other side, but officials said they were still assessing the impact of the proposals.

According to the basic telecom industry, TRAI had ushered in a 'calling party pays' (CPP) regime through the back door and thus lost out in the battle as they would now be paying to cellular operators on equal basis.

While cellular operators cried foul over TRAI giving free hand to wireless local loop (WLL) operators to determine their tariffs. They also decried TRAI announcing free incoming calls on cell phones without levying any additional fixed charges.

Bharti officials said they were studying the order and would respond only next week.

State owned public sector units (PSUs) – MTNL and BSNL – also said they would be in a position to comment only after studying the proposals.

PTI