News Analysis India

Tag: Bharti Airtel

  • Mobile Recharge Prices Expected To Rise After Lok Sabha Elections |

    New Delhi: After the Lok Sabha elections, mobile users across the country should brace themselves for higher recharge costs as mobile service providers are gearing up to hike tariffs. This move implies that recharging your mobile phones will become more expensive post-elections, with companies having already laid out their plans for the increase.

    Tariff Hike Estimates

    According to a report by Antique Stock Broking, tariffs in the telecom industry are anticipated to surge by 15 to 17 percent following the general elections. The elections are scheduled to occur in seven phases from April 19 to June 1, with vote counting slated for June 4. (Also Read: Attention: HDFC Bank’s Special Fixed Deposit Scheme Ending On THIS Date)

    Long-Awaited Hike

    The telecom industry has long awaited this tariff hike, and it is widely anticipated that the increase will occur post-election. The report suggests that Bharti Airtel stands to benefit the most from this hike. (Also Read: Swiggy Delivery Partner Caught Stealing Shoes in Viral Video, Company Reacts: Watch)

    The expected hike is estimated to be between 15 to 17 percent, marking the first increase in nearly three years since the last hike of around 20 percent in December 2021.

    Impact On Prices

    For instance, a Rs 300 recharge is predicted to cost Rs 351 after the hike, reflecting the 17 percent increase. The report also highlights the average profit per user (ARPU) of Bharti Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom company, which currently stands at Rs 208 for the financial year 2026-27. There’s a possibility it may rise to Rs 286.

    Market Dynamics

    The report also sheds light on the market dynamics, stating, “We expect Bharti Airtel’s customer base to grow at about two percent per year, while the industry grows at one percent per year.”

    It also notes the market share fluctuations among telecom giants, indicating a decline in Vodafone Idea’s market share from 37.2 percent in September 2018 to 19.3 percent in December 2023.

    Conversely, Bharti’s market share has increased from 29.4 percent to 33 percent during this period, while Jio’s market share has surged from 21.6 percent to 39.7 percent.

  • Will Elon Musk Announce Affordable Starlink Internet Service During India Visit? |

    New Delhi: Starlink, an affordable satellite-based internet service offered by Elon Musk-run aerospace company SpaceX, has transformed the way people access the web in remote and inaccessible parts of the world. Will Musk announce its arrival in India when he visits the country later this month?

    After several failed attempts, Starlink is geared up to launch satellite broadband services in India, which has close to 92 crore broadband subscribers, according to the latest data by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

    Bharti Airtel currently lead the broadband market, followed by Vodafone Idea and BSNL. Starlink is set to soon get a license after clearing regulatory hurdles. The government in December last year passed The Telecommunications Bill 2023 which allows spectrum allocation for satellite-based services without the need to participate in auctions. (Also Read: Apple Sends Notifications To Users In 92 Nations, Including India, About ‘Mercenary Spyware’)

    The move favours companies such as OneWeb, Musk’s Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper. According to experts, India’s digital economy is experiencing a period of significant growth momentum.

    “The potential arrival of Starlink, coinciding with Musk’s visit, could serve as a further catalyst for India’s thriving digital economy,” Prabhu Ram, Head-Industry Intelligence Group (IIG), CMR, told IANS.

    Increased digital access would empower citizens in ‘aspirational India’, fostering a wave of entrepreneurship, enhanced access to education and healthcare, and increased participation in the digital workforce.

    All Starlink subscription plans include unlimited high-speed data on land with no long-term contracts or commitments. Starlink users can get download speeds up to 220 Mbps, with most of them receiving speeds of over 100 Mbps. (Also Read: Elon Musk Says X Received Inquiry From US House of Representatives On Actions In Brazil)

    The cost of Starlink services in India is not known as of now. In the US, the basic Starlink Wi-Fi for homes in rural areas is $120 per month for unlimited internet sans contract. There are other data plans as well.