Mobile recharge may become expensive again. Telecom operators like Jio and Airtel are preparing to increase tariffs by 10–12% by the end of the year. This time the target will be mid and high users. Read the full report.
If you take a mid or high range recharge plan of mobile, then this news is for you. The country’s big telecom companies like Jio and Airtel are preparing to increase the tariff by 10–12% by the end of the year.
There has been a tremendous increase in the number of mobile users in the month of May, which has given companies confidence that customers can now take expensive plans as well. However, this time the increase will hurt those users more, who spend more than before.
Record active users in May
This planning to increase the tariff is not happening just like that. In May 2025, about 7.4 million new active mobile users have been added in India, taking the total number of active users in the country to 1.08 billion. Reliance Jio alone added 5.5 million and Airtel 1.3 million users, which strengthened the market share of both.
This time the target will be mid and high users
The telecom industry is definitely moving towards a reduction of 10–12%, but this time it will not be limited to only base plans. The last time the prices were increased in July 2024, the basic plans had increased by 11–23%. This time companies will target mid and high range plan users, so that revenue can be increased, but without losing many customers.
This change will happen in the new recharge plan
Now companies can leave the ‘one-size-fits-all’ model. Experts believe that now plans with different prices can be introduced based on data speed, time slot, or data usage. That is, those who use less data or those who use it late at night can get different tariffs. With this, customers will be able to choose the plan only according to their needs.
5G and tariff
Quoting experts, ET said that the pace of adding customers will now depend on how quickly and how good the service 5G provides. If Vodafone Idea’s declining condition gives Airtel and Jio more opportunities to increase their share and earnings.
Companies like BNP Paribas estimate that the telecom sector’s earnings will grow in double digits from 2025 to 2027. The reason for this will be – increasing tariffs and users’ inclination towards bundled plans. Airtel MD Gopal Vittal also believes that now there is a need for ‘personalized tariffs’.
On one hand there is the promise of 5G, on the other hand there is an increasing burden on the pocket. Telecom companies are trying to earn more from mid and high-users, but if the plans become too expensive, then users can also turn to other companies.
