BSNL has introduced new tariff schemes coinciding with the ongoing festive spirit in the country offering local calls at 20 paise per minute and STD calls at 50 paise per minute.

Unlimited data services over GPRS will be available for Rs 230 while two new SMS packs are available for Rs 30 and Rs 50, the first scheme offering all local and national messages at 10 paise and the other 300 local and national SMS free.

"BSNL has launched aggressive pricing strategy to increase penetration in the country as well as to make its products competitive and value for money in this fiercely competitive market," said BSNL.

In Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa the PSU has introduced one paise per second pulse pricing.