Mobile phone users may have to brace for another increase in their monthly bills, with telecom operators reportedly preparing to raise tariffs by 12–15% over the next three to four months. Industry reports suggest that the country’s leading telecom companies—Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea (Vi)—are considering another round of price revisions as they look to improve revenues and support network expansion.
If implemented, the proposed hike would come after the tariff increases introduced in mid-2025, which had already pushed up the cost of prepaid and postpaid plans. Analysts believe telecom companies are now focusing on improving the average revenue per user (ARPU), a key metric that reflects earnings from each subscriber.
The expected price increase is also linked to the industry’s growing investment needs. Telecom operators continue to spend heavily on expanding 5G services, strengthening network infrastructure and improving service quality across urban and rural markets. Higher tariffs are expected to help companies recover these investments while maintaining profitability.
The impact on subscribers could vary depending on the plan they use. Customers on entry-level prepaid plans may see relatively smaller increases, while users of premium plans could face higher monthly bills. However, telecom companies are also expected to continue offering bundled benefits such as increased data limits, OTT subscriptions and additional calling features to retain customers.
Among the major players, Bharti Airtel has consistently advocated for higher tariffs to improve the financial health of the telecom sector. Industry observers expect other operators to follow a similar pricing strategy to maintain competitive parity.
Despite the expected increase, analysts note that India’s mobile tariffs remain among the lowest globally. They believe gradual price hikes are necessary to support continued investment in digital infrastructure and meet the rising demand for high-speed data services.
No telecom operator has officially announced a fresh tariff revision so far. However, reports indicate that a decision could be taken in the coming months, depending on market conditions and competitive developments.