For Jio users, one of the most inconvenient aspects is calls to non-Jio numbers.
While Jio to Jio calls are always free, but free calls to non-Jio numbers is restricted as per the plan. In most of the cases, the FUP minutes allocated for calls to non-Jio numbers are exhausted before the validity ends, and the users are forced to buy a new plan or pay 6 paisa per minute for calling non-Jio numbers.
If everything goes right, calls to non-Jio number can be free from January, 2021.
And here is the reason why?
Why Jio To non-Jio Calls Can Be Free From January?
As per the last TRAI order, IUC or Interconnect Usage Charges will become zero for all telecom operators.
And once this happens, then all Jio to Non-Jio calls will be free for all users.
Now, in case TRAI comes up with a new order related with IUC charges and postpones the free IUC order, then calls to non-Jio numbers won’t be free.
Since the last week of December has already started, and TRAI hasn’t yet come up with any new order, we are assuming that IUC will be free from January, and this means all Jio users call non-Jio numbers without any extra charge.
Why Zero IUC Means Free Calls To Non-Jio Numbers?
IUC or Interconnect Usage Charges is the fees which is paid by the telecom operator, when their users call to another telecom operator.
Thus, if Jio user is calling an Airtel number, then Jio will need to pay an IUC to Airtel.
Now, Jio is purely based on LTE network, while Airtel and Vodafone, BSNL was based on GSM Network.
This is the reason why Jio is charging the calls for non-Jio numbers, while other telecom operators absorb this charge, and makes all calls free for all users.
Since almost every telecom operator is now VoLTE based, TRAI has decided to terminate the IUC fes for all.
As of now, IUC is 6paisa per minute.
This is the reason why Jio had been pushing for zero IUC since long, and it seems TRAI will finally make it happen.
We will keep you updated, as more details come in.
