Airtel and Jio have hiked their mobile tariffs by 11 to 25 per cent days after the recent spectrum auctions. In a move to increase average revenue per user (ARPU) and support investments in 5G infrastructure, Bharti Airtel announced a substantial hike in prepaid mobile tariffs on Friday. The revised rates, which reflect increases of 11 to 21 per cent, will come into effect on July 3. This announcement follows a similar move by Reliance Jio, which raised its tariffs by 12-25 per cent on Thursday. Jio's new plans will also be effective starting July 3.


Airtel’s new tariff plans, designed to improve financial health and support future 5G investments, include a range of options for consumers. The company has reiterated that achieving an ARPU of over Rs 300 is crucial for maintaining a sustainable business model in the competitive Indian telecom market.


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Airtel New Plans: Check Out Hiked Tariffs



  • Rs 199 Plan: 2GB of data, unlimited calling, and 100 SMS per day for 28 days (previously Rs 179)

  • Rs 509 Plan: 6GB of data, unlimited calling, and 100 SMS per day for 84 days (previously Rs 455)

  • Rs 1999 Plan: 24GB of data, unlimited calling, and 100 SMS per day for 365 days (previously Rs 1799)

  • Rs 299 Plan: 1GB of data per day, unlimited calling, and 100 SMS per day for 28 days (previously Rs 265)

  • Rs 349 Plan: 1.5GB of data per day, unlimited calling, and 100 SMS per day for 28 days (previously Rs 299)

  • Rs 409 Plan: 2.5GB of data per day, unlimited calling, and 100 SMS per day for 28 days (previously Rs 359)

  • Rs 449 Plan: 3GB of data per day, unlimited calling, and 100 SMS per day for 28 days (previously Rs 399)

  • Rs 579 Plan: 1.5GB of data per day, unlimited calling, and 100 SMS per day for 56 days (previously Rs 479)

  • Rs 649 Plan: 2GB of data per day, unlimited calling, and 100 SMS per day for 56 days (previously Rs 549)

  • Rs 859 Plan: 1.5GB of data per day, unlimited calling, and 100 SMS per day for 84 days (previously Rs 719)

  • Rs 979 Plan: 2GB of data per day, unlimited calling, and 100 SMS per day for 84 days (previously Rs 839)

  • Rs 3599 Plan: 2GB of data per day, unlimited calling, and 100 SMS per day for 365 days (previously Rs 2999)


Airtel has also revised prices for its data add-on plans, with the Rs 22 plan now offering 1GB of additional data for one day, up from Rs 19.


Jio New Plans: Check Out Hiked Tariffs


Reliance Jio's updated prepaid plans, effective immediately after the spectrum auctions, include:



  • Rs 189: 2GB for 28 days

  • Rs 249: 1GB/day for 28 days

  • Rs 299: 1.5GB/day for 28 days

  • Rs 349: 2GB/day for 28 days

  • Rs 399: 2.5GB/day for 28 days

  • Rs 449: 3GB/day for 28 days


For extended validity plans, Jio offers:



  • Rs 579: 1.5GB/day for 56 days

  • Rs 629: 2GB/day for 56 days

  • Rs 479: 6GB for 84 days

  • Rs 799: 1.5GB/day for 84 days

  • Rs 859: 2GB/day for 84 days

  • Rs 1199: 3GB/day for 84 days

  • Rs 1899: 24GB for 336 days

  • Rs 3599: 2.5GB/day for 365 days


In addition to these plans, Jio introduced two new applications aimed at enhancing user experience: JioSafe, a quantum-secure communication app, and JioTranslate, an AI-powered multilingual communication tool.


Both apps are free for Jio users for one year.


Why Did Airtel And Jio Announce New Plans?


Both Airtel and Jio have invested significantly in rolling out 5G services, with industry estimates suggesting a combined expenditure of over Rs 2 lakh crore, as reported by the Economic Times. The tariff hikes are seen as a necessary step to begin realizing returns on these investments. Experts have noted that while the telecom sector last raised tariffs in November 2021, the recent hikes are crucial for ensuring the financial viability of 5G operations.


Brokerage firm CLSA has indicated that to achieve a sectoral ARPU of around Rs 200 to Rs 217 by FY25-26, further tariff increases may be necessary post-elections.


In case you were wondering, the new tariffs will be accessible on Airtel's and Jio's official websites, and the changes are expected to impact all service circles, including those covered by Bharti Hexacom Ltd.