New Delhi : Telecom regulator Trai on Thursday announced a new ADC (access deficit charge) and IUC (interconnect user charge) regime, paving the way for a further reduction in rates for long distance calls.

                Although the tariffs are still to be decided, from March1, STD calls are likely to be charged at Rs 1.80 a minute, down from the current Rs 2.40 a minute.Calls to the US,Canada and the UK will cost between Rs 5.50 and Rs 7.20 per minute, while to other countries they may range from Rs 8-11.However, local calls are unlikely to be affected.