New Delhi: In a recent report, it has been found that users of mobile phones could experience a rise of 10-15% in their phone bills in the coming months.
Analysts have estimated that telecom operators will increase call rates in order to pay the government Rs 1.10 lakh crore that they have paid to purchase the spectrum.
In a report, Director General of Cellular Operators Association of India, COAI, Rajan Mathews said, “I don’t rule out a minimum 10% increase in tariffs. This will put inevitable pressure for an upward revision in call and data tariffs.”
Experts have claimed that the rates could go up by 15% in order to increase the annual revenue from $30 billion (roughly Rs.1.86 lakh crore) to $34.5 billion (roughly Rs.21.4 lakh crore). Global head for telecom at professional services firm EY, Prashant Singhal said, “It could take another six months but operators will have to raise tariffs to meet the debt requirements.”
In recent quarters, carriers have kept rates at a low level in order to add as well as retain old customers. But the additional debt is expected to change that.