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Your mobile bills may go up by another 12-15% soon

Published July 7, 2026 at 2:52 AM UTC

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India's mobile users are bracing for another round of tariff hikes, with prices expected to increase by 12-15% over the next three to four months. This anticipated rise follows a period of market consolidation, which has created a more favorable pricing environment for telecom operators. The consolidation has resulted in a market dominated by three major players: Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea. According to a report by Centrum Institutional Research, "the pricing environment has become more favorable with only 3+1 players, and we expect another 12-15% tariff hike over the next 3 to 4 months."

The report also highlights that the three private telecom operators are projected to report a 1-1.5% quarter-on-quarter increase in Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) in the June quarter. This growth is attributed to several factors, including the migration of subscribers from 2G to 4G and 5G networks, the addition of postpaid customers, and a higher number of days in the quarter.

In terms of subscriber growth, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are expected to continue gaining market share at the expense of Vodafone Idea. The report anticipates that Reliance Jio will add approximately 7 million subscribers quarter-on-quarter, while Bharti Airtel is expected to add around 5 million subscribers in the same period. In contrast, Vodafone Idea is projected to add about 0.2 million customers quarter-on-quarter.

Data usage per customer is also expected to remain strong, driven by the growing penetration of 4G and 5G networks across the country. Both Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have expanded their 5G services to cover over 90% of districts, focusing on adding more 5G devices to their networks. Vodafone Idea is also ramping up its 5G coverage, with its network present in around 100 cities.

The adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues for Vodafone Idea have significantly reduced, with the present value of future AGR payment obligations standing at 25,000 crore.

These developments indicate a dynamic and competitive landscape in India's telecom sector, with major players vying for market share and striving to enhance their service offerings to attract and retain subscribers.