BSNL Will Also Increase Voice, Data Rates For All Users; Joins Jio, Airtel, Vodafone In Tariff Hike

State-run telecom carrier BSNL too has jumped into the bandwagon, and will increase mobile telephony rates, starting next month.

However, we need to take this news with a pinch of salt, because as of now, BSNL has not officially announced this price hike. 

BSNL Will Raise Mobile Tariff: Unnamed Official

Economic Times has contacted an unnamed BSNL official, who has confirmed that next month onwards, BSNL will also raise the tariff, for all users.

This increased rates will be applicable for both voice calls and data usage.

The unnamed BSNL official said, “We are presently examining our voice and data tariff and will increase it from December 1, 2019,”

Just like Airtel, Vodafone and Jio, BSNL too hasn’t revealed exactly how much price would be hiked, and the exact dates for the increased tariff.

This is indeed unprecedented in Indian telecom industry, since never has it happened that price rise has been announced without actually stating the exact amount and date.

Why Is BSNL Increasing Their Price?

As we all know, BSNL is right now gasping under heavy losses, and massive debt. They don’t even have the money to pay salaries to their employees.

Govt. has pitched in to provide a relief package of Rs 74,000 crore, which includes providing VRS to all employees who are aged above 50 years, and selling real estate to raise funds.

MTNL and BSNL will be merged, under this survival program.

Under these circumstances, it is quite evident that BSNL had to raise the tariff, in order to survive.

Moreover, ever since Jio made its entry into the market, the rates have been more or less same for all telecom operators.

Now, it seems that the party is over.

AIrtel, Vodafone-Idea, Jio Will Also Increase Tariff

BSNL’s decision to raise mobile tariff comes within 48 hours of Airtel, Vodafone-Idea and Jio announcing their respective price hike, for voice and data, for all users.

While Airtel and Vodafone-Idea announced their price hike within minutes, Jio announced price hike yesterday.

Interestingly, share prices of Vodafone and Airtel have surged after they announced this decision to increase mobile rates, and they have collectively added almost Rs 300 billion to their market cap.

It is still not clear, as to how much will be the increase in tariff.

We will keep you updated, as more details come in.