Amid industry apprehensions that Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's latest tariff announcements will make dial-up internet access expensive, the telecom regulator on Wednesday said it will soon look at steps to address the issue, in order to make net access more affordable.

"We would like to think of some solution for this. We will certainly try to address this issue," TRAI chairman M S
Verma told reporters in New Delhi.

He said the TRAI would look at ways and means to address the issue of internet affordability.

"We will try to find if there is a solution either technological or some other solution. We will also try to talk
to operators," Verma said.

Last week the telecom regulator announced fresh basic tariffs reducing the pulse rate of local calls to two minutes
from the current three minutes, triggering industry's fears that internet access through dial-up too would become more
expensive. The tariffs would be implemented from April 1, 2003.

On Tuesday, R Ramaraj, President of ISP Association of India said the association will approach the telecom
regulator and communications ministry on the issue.

"TRAI's tariff announcement will make internet access more expensive for dial-up customer. There have been steps
taken in the past to bring down the cost to the customer so that he spends more time on the net. This (move of TRAI) goes the other way. I think this will drive usage of the net down," Ramaraj had said.

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What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 4 Sub: TO BRING COST OF INTERNET COST AND TELLEPHONEBILL DEAR SIR, THIS A KIDN REQUEST SO SEE IN MATTER OF INTESRT TARRIF AND TELLEPHONE PULS RATE .AS I HAVE INVESTED 15 LAC IN CYBER ... Posted by MITESHBUDDHDEV Sub: call charges for Internet cybercafes Since TRAI has increased the rate to access the net through dail up its a DEATH trap for cybercafes since they will have to increase ... Posted by ratish Sub: TRAI I dont know who these people are and why they are bent on crucifying the basic telephone users. Is there no one to question them ... Posted by G.S.S.Mani Sub: reduction of monthely rent TRAI should think about their coustmers,I think the way they increse the monthely rent it is not agood step. TRAI should reduse the monthely rent, ... Posted by hari singh