SLT ramps up competition by slashing prices

Wireline incumbent Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) has announced new post-paid tariff plans under the banner ‘V talk’, which offer call rates at up to 35% lower to fixed and mobile numbers, and monthly rentals reduced by up to 48%. The company, which hopes to ward off stiff competition from wireless in the local loop (WiLL) operators Lanka Bell and Suntel, said in its statement: ‘The new packages offer per second billing, low call charges [including fixed-to-mobile], low rentals, flat rates, and are also able to meet special requirements like fixed rate per call or fixed rate per minute options.’ One ‘V talk’ package option offers a flat rate of LKR9 (USD0.08) per call up to 15 minutes to any fixed or mobile network at any time, while monthly rentals now start at LKR245 (USD2.14); rates exclude tax.