As promised a few weeks ago, Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular have increased the data tariff rates for their postpaid customers. This follows the companies’ decision to hike the cost of mobile Internet for subscribers in Delhi, in June this year. Back then, the two had revealed that other telecom circles in which they operate would also be receiving the same treatment soon.
The rates are now almost 20 percent higher than before. MTS and Vodafone India are also expected to announce revised prices for their data packs soon. Network providers have been rolling out gradual hikes in the price of mobile Internet bundles over the past year or so.
If the government rules in favor of net neutrality and prevents them from charging differently for web-based services, get ready to pay much more for your data. Do note, Vodafone had only changed the cost of data plans for its prepaid customers in June.
Airtel and Idea were also seen upping the tariffs for 2G and 3G network users on prepaid schemes not too long ago. The most recent rise in data prices affects Airtel’s new postpaid subscribers and came into effect almost two months ago, says PTI. So a 1GB data packs costs Rs 300 instead of Rs 250.
Those in Airtel’s telecom circles covering UP East and UP West, Maharashtra, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan have been hit. Idea users in Punjab and UP West will be shelling out more, thanks to the latest raise. You didn’t see the official announcement because no company wants to tell you they’re charging more for the same service.
But you may have got an SMS informing you about the change. Not only do the data tariff hikes have to do with the Rs 109874 crores mobile operators had to pay the government at the March spectrum auction, this could also be a precautionary move against the possibility of net neutrality being favored over zero rating or similar platforms.