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Peru: MTC requests end of long distance charges on mobile-to-mobile calls Print E-mail
Tuesday, 15 April 2008

Peru’s Ministerio de Transportes y Comunicaciones (MTC) has requested that Osiptel, the telecommunications regulator, approve the abolition of long distance charges for domestic mobile-to-mobile calls.

The elimination of long distance charges is now possible because on April 5 the MTC introduced extra digits for all mobile phone numbers, bringing the total to nine digits. Mobile numbers in Lima had been eight digits, while numbers in other parts of Peru were seven digits.

Around 75% of mobile-to-mobile long distance calls are already charged as local calls due largely to promotions by mobile operators. Eliminating long distance charges is not expected to be complicated, Movistar representative Elizabeth Galdo said. MTC plans to have the long-distance free scheme in place in 2009.

The extra digits for mobile numbers also enable number portability, which is expected to be implemented in 2010, communications undersecretary Cayetana Aljovin said.

Source: Business News Americas - WDR/Intelecon Regulatory News.