Vodafone, MTS Hike Mobile Data Tariffs in Delhi

Telecom services provider Vodafone has increased prepaid mobile data tariffs for 2G and 3G services in Delhi NCR by up to 47 percent, while MTS hiked rates of postpaid mobile data packs by 8 percent.

The increase comes in the aftermath of March spectrum auction wherein telcos had paid around Rs. 1,10,000 crores to acquire airwaves.

However, Sistema Shyam Teleservices, which operates under the MTS brand, did not participate in the March auction.

Earlier, Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular had increased the tariffs for mobile data.

Vodafone has increased the price of its 3G pack of 10GB data to Rs. 1,847 with a validity of 28 days from Rs. 1,255 earlier.

The country's second-largest mobile operator has increased the price of its 1GB pack of 3G data to Rs. 297 from Rs. 255. Also, it has increased price of 1GB 2G pack to Rs. 195 from Rs. 175 earlier.

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A Vodafone spokesperson did not reply to queries in this regard, while a MTS spokesperson said, "We have increased mobile data rates by up to 8 percent for postpaid customers."

Vodafone has also made changes in most of the prepaid plans and has also reduced validity of various packs. Idea was the first telecom operator that increased data tariffs after the March spectrum auction.

Airtel also recently increased rates for mobile Internet packs, both 2G and 3G, sold online for prepaid customers across the country.

The company has withdrawn discounts that it was offering for online purchase of mobile data packs, bringing the prices at par with Internet packs sold offline through retailers.

In a bid to improve profitability, telcos have been cutting back on discounts and freebies. Last year, 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 meet the commitment to the government.