New Delhi — Mobile subscribers throughout India could soon notice higher bills, as a recent study by Centrum Institutional Research forecasts a tariff rise of roughly 12%‑15% within the next four to five months.
Drivers Behind Potential Price Hikes
Centrum points out that the Indian telecom landscape has become highly concentrated, leaving just three private giants to dominate the arena. With fewer competitors, the conditions are ripe for the majors to revise pricing upward.
Projected Subscriber Growth
The report anticipates that the three operators—Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea—will keep expanding their user bases during the July‑September 2026 quarter.
- Jio may attract close to 8 million new connections.
- Airtel is expected to add about 3 million wireless customers.
- Vodafone Idea could gain roughly 1 million subscribers despite mounting competition.
ARPU Outlook
Rising data consumption and broader 5G rollout are set to boost average revenue per user (ARPU) for each carrier.
- Jio’s ARPU might climb about 1% to near ₹218 per month.
- Airtel’s ARPU could increase by roughly 2% to approximately ₹269 per month.
- Vodafone Idea’s ARPU is projected to rise around 0.8% to about ₹178 per month.
5G Expansion as a Growth Engine
Both Jio and Airtel have already launched 5G services in over 95% of India’s districts and are now concentrating on driving adoption of 5G‑compatible devices. Vodafone Idea has rolled out 5G in roughly 200 cities and continues to broaden its coverage.
What Customers Should Keep an Eye On
At present, none of the operators have officially announced a price increase. The 12%‑15% hike remains a projection that could materialise within the next few months. Should the forecast come true, consumers might encounter higher recharge amounts or revised plan structures, so it’s prudent to await formal notices before drawing conclusions.
