Reliance Jio and Airtel initiate a telecom price hike in India

Reliance Jio and Airtel, India’s two largest telecom operators, have initiated significant tariff hikes expected to impact the entire industry in the world’s second-largest wireless market. Jio’s revised pricing, effective July 3, includes raising its entry-level plan from Rs 155 to Rs 189, offering 2GB of data and unlimited calls. Similarly, plans with 1GB of daily data will increase from Rs 209 to Rs 249. Jio is also adjusting prices for two-month, three-month, annual, postpaid, and data add-on plans.

Airtel, in response, announced a 10-20% increase across its popular plans, set to take effect on the same date. The company supports Jio’s move, emphasizing that achieving an average revenue per user (ARPU) of over Rs 300 is essential for sustaining healthy business operations in India. Currently, Airtel’s ARPU stands at approximately Rs 210.

Reliance Jio, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, disrupted the Indian wireless market in the past decade with highly affordable cellular plans, prompting competitors to slash their prices significantly. Akash Ambani, chairman of Reliance Jio, highlighted that these tariff adjustments are aimed at fostering industry innovation and enabling investments in technologies like 5G and AI.

Despite the price increases, Jio maintains one of the world’s most affordable service offerings. Additionally, Jio announced today that customers subscribing to plans previously offering 2GB per day or more will now receive “unlimited 5G data,” further enhancing its competitive edge in the market.