Telecom Industry Under 'Tremendous Stress', 'Won't Hesitate' To Raise Tariffs, Warns Airtel Chief

Acknowledging that telecom tariffs need to go up, Mittal said that Airtel would “not hesitate” in this regard.

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New Delhi: Asserting the telecom industry is under tremendous stress, Bharti Airtel chairperson Sunil Mittal on Thursday said he hopes the Centre will ensure the country’s digital dream remains intact through the provision of at least three operators.

Acknowledging that telecom tariffs need to go up, Mittal said that Airtel would “not hesitate” in this regard.

He, however, added that it cannot be done “unilaterally”.

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“To say telecom industry is in a bit of trouble is actually an understatement. It is in a tremendous amount of stress. I hope the government, the authorities and the telecom department focus on this issue and ensure India's digital dream remains intact through the provision of at least three operators,” PTI quoted Mittal as saying.

The telecom czar, who was speaking to the media at a virtual event of OneWeb, a satellite communications company led by Bharti Global and the UK government, said Bharti Airtel had raised funds timely and adequately through equity and bonds.

He emphasized that Bharti Airtel is strongly positioned to serve the market in the coming years.

“We never went into the woods at all. We are strong a company, many a time we are underestimated in our resolve,” he added.

Admitting that the last 5-6 years had been brutal, Mittal said: “Ten operators gone out of business, two merged together...gasping for breath right now.”

He added the industry needs to be healthy for embarking on 5G services and to deliver on India’s digital dream.

Responding to a poser if the company will look at raising tariffs, Mittal said: “We will not hesitate to do it, but it can't be done unilaterally.”

“Raising tariffs always sounds bad...just bring it back to where it was...enjoy 15 times consumption, but at least come back to old tariffs,” he added.