Airtel today announced tariff reductions on STD and roaming services for its over 62 million customers. The STD rates have been slashed to Rs 1.50 per minute from the earlier Rs 2.65 per minute; new tariffs will be effective April 30 onwards.

As regards roaming rates, customers will now be able to receive calls while roaming at Re 1 per minute vis-a-vis the earlier Rs 1.75 per minute. Making outgoing local calls while roaming will now cost Re 1 per minute and outgoing STD calls will cost Rs 1.50 per minute.Speaking on the occasion, Sanjay Kapoor, president (Mobile Services) of Bharti Airtel, said, "This initiative spells the end of distance for our existing and prospective customers. With 70 percent STD customers in India using less than 5 minutes per month on STD calls and 80 percent mobile customers not using their phones while roaming, we have a compelling customer proposition. I am delighted that we are leading this endeavor, which strengthens our strategic plank of affordability."

Airtel believes the latest reduction in tariffs will help expand its footprint in the rural areas of the country thus helping create an India without boundaries.