Taking head-on the challenge posed by private wireless telephone service providers, state-run Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd on Saturday announced a pulse rate of 12 seconds and a standard plan monthly rental of Rs 200 for its WLL service 'Garuda'.

MTNL's Standard Tariff Plan would attract a monthly rental of Rs 200 while the call made to WLL and cellphones would be charged at the rate of 55 paise per minute (11 paise per pulse of 12 seconds). Under this plan the tariff for calls made to landline or fixed phones would be 75 paise per minute (15 paise per pulse).

Besides the Standard Tariff Plan, which is in compliance with the recommendation of the telecom regulator, MTNL also announced three different plans -- Silver, Gold and Platinum -- to cater to the needs of various user groups.

Narinder Sharma, MTNL chairman and managing director said Garuda's 'Silver Plan' would have a monthly rental of Rs 399 and calls to WLL and cellphones would be charged at 50 paise per minute (10 paise per pulse) while those to fixed/landline phones would be charged at 70 paise per minute (14 paise per pulse).

He said the plans, which were submitted to Trai earlier this week, were subject to its approval.

The 'Gold Tariff Plan' has a monthly rental of Rs 699 and calls to WLL and cellphones are charged at 45 paise per minute (9 paise per pulse) and those to fixed/landline phones at the rate of 65 paise per minute (13 paise per pulse).

'Platinium Tariff Plan' has a monthly rental of Rs 1,199 and calls to WLL and cellphones attract a tariff of 40 paise per minute (8 paise per pulse) and that to fixed/land lines 60 paise per minute (12 paise per pluse).