TRAI in 2017 had slashed the so-called interconnect usage charge (IUC) to 6 paise per minute from 14 paise and had said this regime will end by January 2020. But it has now finally extended the deadline.

"For wireless to wireless domestic calls, termination charge would continue to remain as Re 0.06 (paise six only) per minute up to 31 December 2020," Trai said.

The charges were reduced to 6 paise with effect from 1 October 2017, from 14 paise charged earlier and it was to become nil from 1 January 2020.

From 1 January 2021 on wards the termination charge for wireless to wireless domestic calls shall be zero, the regulator added.

Vodafone Idea had announced new plans under which call and data charges will be dearer for its pre-paid customers by up to 42 percent from 3 December. Besides this, Vodafone Idea will also charge 6 paise per minute for every outgoing call made by customers on to the network of other operators.Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel had also announced new plans under which call and data charges will be dearer for its pre-paid customers by up to 42 percent from the same date. From 6 December, Jio joined in and announced that it will raise its voice and data tariff by up to 40 percent.