Exclusive: Airtel starts charging for VoIP data on 2G and 3G, calls on Viber and Skype not to be covered by data packs

This Christmas may not be much of a delight for Airtel subscribers. In an unprecedented move, Bharti Airtel has started charging standard data rates for VoIP data usage on all Internet data packs and plans. As per the new data policy

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All Internet/data packs or plans (through which customer can avail discounted rate) shall only be valid for internet browsing and will exclude VoIP (Both incoming/ Outgoing). VoIP over data connectivity would be charged at standard data rates of 4p / 10 KB (3G service) and 10p / 10 KB (2G service).
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airtel-logoWhat is VoIP data?
In simple terms Voice over IP (VoIP) is voice data you sent across the internet. All internet based voice/video calling applications like Skype, Viber, Line and Google hangout uses VoIP for voice communication on internet. These applications provide free calling between its users irrespective of their location as it uses only internet for communication.
What this would mean is that next time you use Skype/Viber to call someone you will be charged standard data rate even when you have 2G/3G data packs active. This will be a great blow to Airtel subscriber who use VoIP applications like Skype to talk to loved ones abroad and within the country.
Operators Vs OTT
Recently TRAI had squashed a proposal to charge Over-the-Top players like the Whatsapp and Viber to pay connectivity charges to telecom companies. TRAI was of the opinion that revenue drop of the operators can be made up with the increase in the mobile data usage. But operators were of the stand that consumers are paying just for the Internet packages and not for the calls and messages.