Communications Minister Kapil Sibal has stated that the country will have free roaming services by Octoberr 2013. Though the TRAI has recommended the same earlier, the government did not implement so far due to the strong opposition by the private telecom companies. Their contention is that the roaming service charges will be about 9% of their total revenue and loss of the same will have serious effect.

We have to see whether the assurance of the Minister will be implemented by October 2013, as the government usually succumbs to the pressures of MNCs and big business.