Last updated: January 25, 2023, 4:17 PM IST
Mobile data prices in India are among the cheapest in the world
Rising prices of data and devices are a concern for the rapid spread of digitization, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, state minister for electronics and IT, said on Wednesday.
New Delhi: Rising prices of data and devices are a concern for the rapid spread of digitization, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, state minister for electronics and IT, said on Wednesday.
The comments come against the backdrop of a recent hike of about 57 percent in the minimum monthly recharge plan by the country’s second-largest telco, Bharti Airtel.
“The increase in the cost of data or the cost of devices are a concern as they are a barrier to rapid digitization,” said Chandrasekhar.
The minister said he is not fully aware of Airtel’s increase in mobile service charges and that the ministry could approach telecom regulator Trai to investigate whether the increase will have short-term or long-term consequences.
He said that there has been an impact on prices around the world due to the war between Russia and Ukraine and that the impact of the data price should be explored.
Bharti Airtel has increased the price of the minimum top-up for the 28-day mobile phone plan by about 57 percent to Rs 155 in eight districts including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh West.
The company has discontinued its minimum charging plan of Rs 99, offering 200 megabytes of data and calls at a rate of Rs 2.5 paise per second. In Haryana and Odisha, Airtel has now started offering the Rs 155 plan with unlimited calls, 1 GB data and 300 SMS. PTI PRS Mr
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and was published from a syndicated news agency feed)
