BSNL has come with a new strategy to tackle incumbent telecom operator Reliance Jio. Today, the state-run PSU has announced that it is waiving off national roaming charges on voice/SMS/STV/combo recharges. This essentially means that you will be charged the same amount as your home circle if you recharge with any of BSNL's voice/SMS/STV/combo recharges.
For example, if a customer recharges with the BSNL STV 349 plan, which offers unlimited voice calls to any network in the home circle for 26 days, presently doesn't offer free calling if you change the circle. However, after these changes, the voice calls will be free under the STV 349, even if you are roaming into another BSNL Network Circle. And yes, these changes will be effective only in the circles where BSNL operates, minus Delhi and Mumbai.
This is a welcome change from BSNL, and at the same moment, the government-owned operator is pushing users to choose the combo plans, so that they can enjoy the benefits. Further, these changes will be implemented with effect from August 15, 2017, as per sources.
That said, there's no information on the base voice/SMS charges though, and the company did not include it in the press statement as well. Maybe, users will be charged the same base rates if he doesn't recharge with any of the STV or combo plan.