Airtel hikes 2G data rates; others may follow suit
10 Jan 2013
Bharti Airtel, India's leading mobile phone company, has hiked its 2G data rates for its top-end band. As of this week, customers will have to pay 25 per cent more for its 1 GB data plan, ie, Rs125 against Rs100 earlier.
The Sunil Mittal group company has already been cutting down on free 'extras' as all of India's mobile operators are facing thin margins due to low prices forced on them by intense competition.
Reports were rife today that its closest rivals Vodafone and Idea Cellular would follow suit. However, responding to media queries, both companies have denied any immediate plans to raise rates.
Voice calls and text messaging are not affected by the hike in data transfer rates.
Bharti Airtel said the latest revision is subject to "rate elasticity, customer demand and supporting cost structures".
Airtel's chief executive (India & South Asia) Sanjay Kapoor had recently said that prices of both voice and non-voice services will need to move up for the telecom industry to remain sustainable, invest in future technologies and generate returns for its shareholders.