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Bummer: VoIP Calls On India’s Airtel Will Be Chargeable Regardless Of Your Data Plan

Detonator

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Detonator Newbie

Detonator

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Bummer: VoIP Calls On India’s Airtel Will Be Chargeable Regardless Of Your Data Plan
A couple months back, there had been a proposal from telecom companies in India to the TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India), asking OTT (Over The Top) services providers like Skype, WhatsApp and Viber to pay up to telecom majors in the form of connectivity charges. This, however, was soon rubbished by the TRAI, to the relief of many a user in India. However, telecom companies seem to have found a way around this already, and if you’re a cellphone user in India, you aren’t going to like it. Airtel, the countries largest wireless carrier, announced today that VoIP calls over any OTT service such as Viber, Skype will be chargeable. This means that you can no longer get a data pack using which you make calls through such services. VoIP, if you aren’t aware, stands for Voice over Internet Protocol; essentially, the term covers activities such as voice calls that are made over the internet, as opposed to traditional voice calls which are made through a carrier’s network. Up until now, such VoIP calls had no interference from telecom players. However, now that Airtel has decided to start charging for it, you can be certain other smaller players will soon join the camp. According to Telecom Talk, here’s what Airtel had to say about it: “All Internet/data packs or plans (through which customer can avail discounted rate) shall only be valid for internet browsing and will exclude VoIP (Both incoming/ Outgoing). VoIP over data connectivity would be charged at standard data rates of 4p / 10 KB (3G service) and 10p / 10 KB (2G service).” Interestingly, this means that VoIP calls made over Airtel’s 3G network will actually be cheaper than those made on its 2G network. In the past couple of years, the Indian telecom market has seen a massive boom in data usage. The usage of traditional and rather profitable services such as SMS and calls continue to decline. WhatsApp is the most popular IM client in India at the moment, and is soon expected to roll out its voice calling functionality, which unfortunately for the Airtel user base will now be chargeable. Airtel has also been on an extensive ad campaign for its internet plans, but this isn’t something the users of the network would’ve seen coming. Airtel-VOIP-data.jpg
So if you are using 3G it's 4000 rs per GB and for 2G it's 10000 rs per GB. A dream come true as 3G is cheaper than 2G. :WTF:
StriKe Newbie

StriKe

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:WTF: Don't they have enough money from Voice call and Data plans ? They have been increased 2x in the past year... They want to suck all the money :wall:

BlueBee Rising Star

BlueBee

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WTF ? :mad: These are ****ing ploys of the companies. Toyota did the same ****, they are increasing the ****ing price of India's best selling MPV ie; Innova regularly.

Sachin=GOD Newbie

Sachin=GOD

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WTF ? :mad: These are ****ing ploys of the companies. Toyota did the same ****' date=' they are increasing the ****ing price of India's best selling MPV ie; Innova regularly.[/quote'] Calm down....
Old guy Community Regular

Old guy

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i do not understand who are they to decide how i use the data i already paid for which is already limited ? is is this any less messed up than what companies are typing to pull in west with streaming service.. worst part is no one will fight against this here ..i will stop using airtel if this happens ..

Captain Newbie

Captain

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i do not understand who are they to decide how i use the data i already paid for which is already limited ? is is this any less messed up than what companies are typing to pull in west with streaming service.. worst part is no one will fight against this here ..i will stop using airtel if this happens ..
If enough people switch over to other providers,Airtel will have no other alternative but to make amends to this stupid policy.
Old guy Community Regular

Old guy

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If enough people switch over to other providers' date='Airtel will have no other alternative but to make amends to this stupid policy.[/quote'] like i said people wont protest like this and other companies will follow as no one will care enough..some times living in india ..sigh thingsl ike this spoil my mood badly :cantstop:
Captain Newbie

Captain

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like i said people wont protest like this and other companies will follow as no one will care enough..some times living in india ..sigh thingsl ike this spoil my mood badly :cantstop:
True. Though i think Airtel won't get away this time.This'll create a s*it storm and let's hope enough people protest to get this decision reversed.
Old guy Community Regular

Old guy

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well i would even though i wont be effected badly . i normally use wifi for this type of stuff and their 3g network cannot consistently handle VOIP at suitable quality anyway .

bulbul Newbie

bulbul

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Also this is only for Pre-paid :mad:

An Airtel spokeswoman said the charges will only apply to pre-paid customers and will be implemented soon.
We have made some revisions in the composition of our data packs, and will offer VoIP connectivity through an independent pack that will be launched shortly," Airtel said in an emailed statement.
http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/12/24/bharti-airtel-rates-idINKBN0K20SU20141224 looks like Airtel got afraid of whatsapp starting free call service soon....
Captain Newbie

Captain

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well i would even though i wont be effected badly . i normally use wifi for this type of stuff and their 3g network cannot consistently handle VOIP at suitable quality anyway .
It won't affect me in the slightest as well.But,it's a violation of Net neutrality.I don't even use Airtel but the way they are moving forward regarding VOIP is truly pathetic.
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