The proposal includes lowering the current per minute rates under all three categories -- from Tk 3 down to Tk 1.50 (for up to 50-mile air distance), from Tk 6 down to Tk 3 (for up to 100 miles) and from Tk 10 down to Tk 4.50 (above 100 miles).

After scrutiny, the ministry will send the proposal to the finance ministry for approval.

Earlier, the BTTB fixed call charges to the USA, Canada, Australia, Malaysia and UK at a reduced rate of Tk 7.5 per minute for NWD subscribers in 14 districts. Pirojpur and Feni were added to the list just yesterday and other districts will be included gradually, sources said.

More international destinations including Germany, France, Italy, Hong Kong and Singapore will be brought under the reduced rate scheme by next week.

The special rate can be availed by dialing access code 012. However, calls to mobile phones in the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Australia will be Tk 18 per minute.

Private cell phone operators has asked the BTTB, the state monopoly in fixed line telephone, to allow mobile phone subscribers access to the new calling code. Currently, there are some 2 lakh cell phone subscribers with ISD (International Subscribers Dialing) facilities.

The BTTB has about seven lakh subscribers while some 18.5 lakh people have subscribed to mobile phone services provided by four cell phone operators.