This had to happen some day and, it happened yesterday. Airtel, the leading mobile operator in the country and the world’s 5 th largest mobile operator in terms of subscribers has increased its tariff rates by 20% in 6 key circles wef from 22 July.
This is first increase in tariff rates from any operator after the heavy influx of new operators couple of years ago which made the calling rates plummet to an all time low. And it is only time that other operators will follow suit. New Operators aren’t making any money with the current rates and hence, although not immediately, will surely try to get their prices up.
One has to say that being the leader; Airtel has taken a bold and more importantly, a responsible move by increasing its tariff rates. It is cautious though, since the company mentions that this hike will only be effective for subscribers in key circles of Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala. If it doesn’t back fire, thanks to the availability of MNP, you can expect the hike to stretch across the nation very soon.
As for as the changes in tariff are concerned, those who are currently subscribed to Airtel Advantage plan will now have to pay 60ps/min for calls to mobiles and 90ps/min for calls made to landlines through out the country (previously, this was 50ps/min for both mobiles and landlines)
Those who are subscribed to per second billing (freedom plan), will be paying 1.2ps/sec for both local and STD calls
Note that these rates will only be applicable once the current individual plan validity period of existing subscribers expires and for all new customers coming in to Airtel network.
Those who are not into any of the above plans, call rates and message rates are unchanged at Rs.1/min for local call/sms and Rs.1.5/min for STD Call/national sms.
If you are postpaid customer, Airtel loves you, and hence no increase in tariff.
