Idea Hikes Prepaid Mobile Data Rates by Up to 18 Percent

The company has made changes in most of the recharges and vouchers for 2G and 3G services.

According to industry sources, the company also plans to increase the data tariffs in five-six more circles in the coming days.

When asked to comment on the matter, the company did not reply.

According to information taken from customer care of Idea Cellular, the company has increased 3G data tariffs by over 18 percent and 2G tariffs by 11 percent.

A customer care executive said the 1GB pack of 3G with a validity of 28 days will now come for Rs. 295 compared with Rs. 249 earlier, while 1GB pack of 2G data will now come for Rs. 195 with 28 days validity as against Rs. 175 earlier.

The company has also reduced validity of various packs.

Idea is the first telecom operator to have increased data tariffs after the March spectrum auctions.

Idea was successful in securing spectrum in all the nine telecom circles (which account for 69 percent of its revenues) that came up for renewal. The company had paid over Rs. 7,000 crores of the overall outgo of more than Rs. 30,000 crores.

In a bid to improve profitability, telcos have been cutting back on discounts and freebies. Last year also, firms including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, and Idea had increased data as well as call tariffs.

After the March spectrum auction, industry associations had said there would be hike in tariffs as operators have to pay about Rs. 1,09,874 crores to the government.