Are we seeing Informal/Unannounced Tariff hike?

[Kyle Crane]

Dec 2019 was the first Tariff Hike post RJio’s Introduction which was initiated by Airtel ,followed by Vi and Jio


Nov 2021 / Dec 2021 was the Second tariff hike once again initiated by Airtel, followed by Vi and Jio


July 2024 was the third major tariff hike, and interestingly it was initiated by Jio and quickly followed by Airtel and Vi

(all the images follow the order mentioned above them)

Now it's been more than 1 year since we saw last major telecom hike and both the telecom giants are struggling to recover cost of 5G roll out due to extremely high price of 5G spectrum and overall cost of laying 5G BTS

Telecom Analyst have said that the next tariff could be in Dec 2025 .but out of nowhere we see Jio removing the 249Rs 1gb per day 28 days plan on 18th Aug 2025

which imo was the most popular 4G plan since not everyone can afford to pay more than 250₹ for cellular data every month

Jio got us addicted to 5G by introducing unlimited 5G for just 249₹ and later removed it and made it a 1gb per day 4G only plan.
Here is how much it costed before to have the 249₹ plan every month :
249x13=3,237 per year (old plan)

Let's say that user is now forced to buy 299₹ plan
Which is
299x13=3,887 per year

Now lets say that same user feels that he’s just 50₹ away from 349₹ Unlimited 5G plan And proceeds to recharge with that plan every month
349x13=4,537 yearly

Mind you
3599₹ direct yearly plans gives you
2.5gb per day + 5G unlimited

All in all we are now seeing Informal and Unannounced Tariff hikes

So the masses are unaware about it ,only select few in forums like these talk about it while the common man wouldn’t exactly notice the change unless he goes through the recharge page thoroughly

Same applies for Airtel.

“Ache Din” for 4G and 5G users seem limited now

I’m guessing we might even be paying 499₹ a month for 5G very soon.

 

[Kaiju404]

Many indians can buy pricey tobacco but are hesitate buying 3599 and the companies know it well even if this plan is very much crucial

Now JIO small cash best Rs.189 for 28 days -> 6.75/day and Rs. 448 for 84 days -> 5.33/day
else Rs. 666 value for money if can't buy 3599

 

[SVK]

It is neither informal nor unannounced. Airtel MD already informed about it

Further tariff hike needed for financial stability: Airtel MD Vittal

Bharti Airtel indicates further tariff hikes are necessary for financial sector stability and focuses on expanding digital capabilities. The company also announced exiting its low-margin wholesale voice and messaging business despite reporting a significant net profit increase to Rs 16,134.6 crore.

economictimes.indiatimes.com

 

[SVK]

Further news - Airtel Q1FY26 Earnings - Entry-Level Plans Hurting ARPU Rise, MD Says

 

[Kaiju404]

@SVK does Airtel MD speaks for Jio too. Atleast we can agree that Jio 's was unannounced.

 

[pillaicha]

I agree here with the logic that masses need cheaper Internet from telecom companies. How cheap must be left to market forces. To put things into perspective, a regular Indian daily-wage labourer spends approx Rs 150/day around thrice a week (sometimes double on the weekends) on state-distributed alcohol and an additional Rs 50/day on beedis and cigarettes. This is a conservative estimate. Which translates to a monthly cost of around Rs2500 on alcohol and Rs1500 on tobaco and paan combined.

As part of population control measures during Indira Gandhi's time, villages hosted roadshows and night time movie screenings in village squares to distract the public while addressing the issue at hand. Access to the Internet and getting them hooked to it could be considered along those lines. A Rs 300/month plan can entertain the public for hours while distracting from indulging in social evils like tobacco and alcohol (and leave 90% more money in the hands of the household as savings).