No more free calls on VoIP from your phone

New Delhi: Making free calls using Skype and Viber is set to become history very soon. India’s largest telecom service provider Bharti Airtel has become the first operator in the country to charge for making voice calls over Internet (VoIP).

Other telecom operators are also expected to follow Airtel and charge its customers to earn extra revenue as calls made on VoIP have been eating into the revenues of telecom companies.

VoIP firms such as Skype, Line and Viber allow users make free calls through the Internet. “We have made some revisions in the composition of our data packs, and will offer VoIP (Voice over internet protocol) connectivity through an independent pack that will be launched shortly.

Our customers can continue enjoying voice calls over data connectivity by opting for this VoIP pack, or simply use VoIP services on pay-as-you-go basis,” said Bharti Airtel in on Wednesday. The popularity of Over-The-Top (OTT) services such Whatsapp and Skype, which allows mobile users to send SMS and make calls freely has not gone down well with telecom operators.