Hutchison Essar has reduced its international long distance and domestic long distance rates across all plans, both prepaid and postpaid, dropping ISD rates by up to 53 per cent and STD rates by 24 paise on all tariffs of over Rs 2.64 per minute.

Calls to the US and Canada will now cost Rs 7.2 per minute, down from Rs 14.24 (postpaid) and Rs 15.24 a minute (prepaid). Calls to other destinations are now Rs 9.99, down from a range of Rs 14 to Rs 18 a minute.

The STD promotional package at Rs 2.25 per minute on a monthly charge of Rs 25 will now cost Rs 2 per minute. The standard Hutch STD promotional offer of Re 1 per minute at Rs 25 per month remains unchanged.

Two new postpaid plans at Rs 299 and Rs 499 a month, will offer both STD as well as roaming (receiving and making calls) at Re 1 a minute. The recharge prepaid card of Rs 899 will offer local calls and STD at Re 1 a minute, with talktime of Rs 550; but standard roaming rates will apply.