Vodafone Idea (Vi) Follows Jio and Airtel, Announces Tariff Hikes

Science & Technology Science

Posted by pallavi on 2024-07-02 09:03:00 |

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 90

---

Bharti Airtel, following Reliance Jio's lead, is set to increase tariffs on both prepaid and postpaid plans starting July 3, with hikes ranging from 10-21 percent across various plans. This move is part of Airtel’s strategy to maintain financial health and sustainability, emphasizing that the average revenue per user (ARPU) needs to exceed Rs 300 to support substantial investments in network technology and spectrum. Additionally, Airtel has revised its criteria for free unlimited 5G access, now limiting it to plans offering 2GB of data per day or more. Consequently, customers will need to spend at least Rs 649 for unlimited 5G access, compared to Jio's Rs 349 even after their price hike.

Airtel’s revised prepaid plans show significant price increases. The basic plan, previously Rs 179 for 28 days with 2GB of data, now costs Rs 199. The 84-day plan with 6GB of data has increased from Rs 455 to Rs 509, and the annual plan offering 24GB of data has risen from Rs 1799 to Rs 1999. For plans with longer durations, the 56-day plan with 1.5GB/day now costs Rs 579, up from Rs 479.

Additionally, the 2GB/day plan for the same duration has gone up from Rs 549 to Rs 649. The 84-day plan with 1.5GB/day has increased from Rs 719 to Rs 859, while the 2GB/day plan now costs Rs 979, up from Rs 839. The annual plan offering 2GB/day has jumped significantly from Rs 2999 to Rs 3599. These price hikes reflect Airtel's emphasis on ensuring sufficient revenue to invest in new technology and infrastructure.

In summary, Airtel’s new tariff hikes reflect a broader industry trend towards higher prices, driven by the need to finance advanced network infrastructure and technology. These increases, while substantial, are aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability and improving service quality for users. Airtel’s new pricing strategy also underscores the growing importance of 5G access, with the company positioning its premium 5G plans at a higher entry point compared to Jio. As customers brace for higher mobile bills, the competition between Airtel and Jio continues to shape the landscape of India’s telecommunications sector.

Go!