Bharti Airtel, which has already launched 4G services in Banguluru and Kolkata circles, is now planning to extend its latest 4G services in other circles as well. The operator is already in talks with U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm to purchase the latter's 4G licences
in India. Airtel has seem to surprised rivals by being the first
operator to bring the latest 4G and slash 3G tariffs drastically.
According to reports, Vodafone is likely
to come up with cheap 3G plans for prepaid customers in Mumbai circle.
The operator is also going to revise other 3G tariff on the lines of
Airtel's new 3G tariff rates. Vodafone will be offering 3G for as low as
Rs. 20 for 25MB and a weekly package of Rs. 44 for 150MB.
As far as monthly 3G tariff rates are
concerned, Vodafone will be offering packs ranging from Rs. 102 to Rs.
451. The operator offers a pack of Rs. 1,501 for 10GB of 3G data for a
30 days.
Meanwhile, Idea Cellular may also
announce similar reduction in 3G tariff! Traditionally tariff cuts or
launch of new/affordable plans happen after one operator takes the
initiative to announce it. And if this happens in 3G segment, the market
would see another price war – only benefitting the customers at the
end.
However, analysts suggest the operators
should raise the tariff instead cutting the price in order make up the
hefty sum they paid to acquire 3G spectrum. Also, fresh auction for 2G
spectrum will be held soon.
Telecom operators are apparently in a
catch-22 situation right now. They need to lower tariffs to popularise
3G and at the same time they have to join the 4G race. Do you think
other operators should also lower 3G tariff? Let us know in the comments
section below:
Source: The Mobile Indian, India Today
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