New Delhi, Dec. 26 :    New Delhi, Dec. 26:  The Union communications ministry today allotted the carrier access codes (CAC) to private operators, clearing the way for them to slash mobile-to-fixed line STD rates by half from January 26 when they intend to bypass the long-distance networks of the state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL). The ministry has said Bharti Telesonic - the only private licensee for offering domestic long distance telephony services - has been assigned the carrier code '50.' From January 26, a cellular subscriber in Delhi making a call to a Calcutta mobile user will have to dial 010-50-33 followed by the seven-digit telephone number to route the call over Bharti's STD network. The prefix 010 signifies it is a mobile call, 50 is the Bharti access code and 33 is Calcutta's STD code. However, BSNL and MTNL will still continue to provide last-mile access to the fixed line subscriber's end. Announcing the government's approval of the carrier access code for private long distance telephony operators, communications minister Pramod Mahajan said: 'The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had recently sent its guidelines regarding CAC which we have examined and allotted the code to the only existing licensee. The rest of the codes will be allotted as and when the private operators take up the licence to offer domestic long distance services.' Launching the fixed line services to be offered by private operator Bharti in Haryana, Mahajan added, 'The ministry has cleared the CAC. It is now up to BSNL and private telecom operators to sort out the interconnection and other issues to implement the reduction in STD rates that the private cellular operators have announced from January 26.' Sunil Bharti Mittal, chairman and managing director of Bharti Enterprises, said, 'A few issues like interconnection and numbering plan are yet to be sorted out before BSNL can offer the choice of carrier to subscribers directly. But we have been assured by the minister that these issues pending with BSNL and Trai will be sorted out soon.' Fixed line services Bharti today launched its fixed line services in Haryana, becoming the seventh private fixed-line operator in the country. The company will offer services under brand name TouchTel in Haryana. Consumers opting for this service will get a free voice mail facility and a free internet connection. The company has partnered with telecom majors like Siemens, Nortel, Cisco and Duraline for its network.