India has 2,645 STD codes

The Department of Telecom is simplifying the dialling process for long distance calls by merging STD (standard trunk dialing) codes in the country.

The move, which would result in the current 2,645 STD codes in the country merging into 322 codes, is a result of the proposal considered by the DoT to allow operators to interconnect at the long distance charging area (LDCA), equivalent to a district exchange, instead of the present system of connecting at the short distance charging area (SDCA) that is equivalent to a tehsil, DoT sources said.

Under the existing numbering plan, each of the 2,645 SDCAs in the country has a different STD code, but according to the new plan the codes would be assigned to the LDCA.

For example, this means that the present seven SDCAs in Coimbatore, each with its own STD code, will be connected with just one code '0442' under the new plan.

Similarly, in Pune currently there are 20 STD codes for various places but once the new system comes into place, the whole of Pune can be reached by dialling the code '020.'

The move is being planned as part of the government's policy initiative to further liberalise the long distance sector.

DoT recently announced its plan to bring in uniform tariffs across the country through the 'IndiaOne' tariff January 1, 2006 onwards. The implementation of the 'IndiaOne' regime may bring down STD rates to below Re 1.

To ensure the entry of long distance players, the government has also reduced the entry fee for long distance licence to Rs 2.5 crore (Rs 25 million) from Rs 100 crore (Rs 1 billion), paving the way for intense competition in the sector.