If you’re always on the lookout for cheap mobile recharge plans, this news might disappoint you. Indian consumers may soon have to pay more to continue using telecom services. Reports suggest that leading operators like Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea (Vi) are preparing to hike mobile recharge prices.
By the end of 2025, telecom companies are expected to implement another round of tariff hikes. This move aims to boost their revenue, especially as competition in the telecom sector has increased and companies are struggling to manage rising costs. If this decision is implemented, users may have to pay more for their current plans. Similar price hikes in the past have already put an extra burden on users.
Tariff Hike Expected in 2025
According to a report by global brokerage firm Bernstein, cited by Moneycontrol, telecom companies in India may increase tariffs by 10–20% by December 2025. This would mark the fourth major hike in the past six years. The most recent increase happened in July 2024, when tariffs rose by up to 25%. The reason behind the hikes is the rising capital expenditure demands of telecom companies as they invest in upgrading 4G and expanding 5G networks.
The report states that a tariff hike is expected around November–December 2025 as part of ongoing industry-wide pricing correction efforts.
Also Read- How to Port Your BSNL Number to Jio, VI & Airtel Online: Know Process
Bernstein expects a 15% tariff increase by December 2025, with annual hikes likely to continue from 2026 to 2033. While future price increases may become more regular, they are unlikely to be as sharp as those witnessed between 2019 and 2025. These hikes could help telecom companies achieve a 10% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in tariffs. Additionally, Vi’s capital expenditure may help stabilize its user base by the second half of the 2026 fiscal year.