Telecom regulator TRAI has approved the alternate tariff plans of basic telecom operators Mahanagar Telecom Nigam, Bharat Sanchar Nigam and Tata Teleservices.

The alternate tariffs would be offered, besides the standard tariff package announced by TRAI in January, in which the regulator had increased the rentals and call rates and had specified the Interconnect Usage Charges.

"Some of the alternate tariff plans offer a combination of competitive rentals, free calls and local call pulse rate at three minutes," a TRAI statement said.

In respect of long distance calls, intra-circle call tariffs across all distance slabs range from Rs 0.40 a minute to Rs 2.40, while for the inter-circle calls the tariff ranges between Rs 0.80 to Rs 4.80 a minute, the statement added.

While examining the alternate tariffs filed by these basic operators, TRAI has ensured that the pacakges are consistent with IUC and also conform to the 24th amendment of the Telecom Tariif Order announced in January this year.

TRAI has said that the tariffs are non-predatory, meaning that these have not been designed in a manner which would eliminate competition and thus the viability of the industry in the long run.