July 10: Bhutan Telecom has proposed to the Bhutan Info Com and Media Authority (BICMA) for tariff reduction on B-Mobile services. But BICMA has kept it on hold.

B-Mobile is concerned over losing its customers with its competitor in the market Tashi cell offering services at a much cheaper rate.

The announcement by Tashi Cell to reduce tariff for its services including voice tariff has left B-Mobile worried about its business.

B-Mobile had applied for a tariff reduction to BICMA about a month ago but it has not been sanctioned.

BICMA officials said they are applying asymmetric regulation wherein they have to prepare the incumbent company – the Bhutan Telecom in this case- for the competition and protect and support the new entrance of T-cell against the established service provider B-Mobile.

BICMA’s Head of Telecommunication Wangay Dorji said under the regulation, the tariff cannot be revised for at least six months and B-Mobile has last reduced their tariff in February this year.

Having to wait for six months is too long for B-Mobile who is losing its customers. B-Mobile says customers often complain about the difference in the service charges between B-Mobile and Tashi cell.

The Manager of customer care of B-Mobile, Deo Kumar said there should be level playing field if competition has to be healthy.

Currently the B-Mobile’s call charge to India is Nu. 14 per minute against Tashi Cells’s NU. 10 per minute.

BICMA says B-mobile’s proposal for tariff reduction will be accepted after it completes the six month term in August.