New Delhi — A fresh study by Centrum Institutional Research warns that Indian mobile users could see their bills climb by roughly 12 % to 15 % over the next four to five months.
Drivers Behind a Potential Price Rise
Centrum points out that the telecom landscape has become tightly packed around three private giants. With competition thinning, the environment is ripe for operators to nudge tariffs upward.
Subscriber Growth Outlook
The forecast indicates that the three major players—Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea—will keep adding customers in the July‑September 2026 quarter.
- Jio is expected to attract about 8 million new users.
- Airtel could gain close to 3 million subscribers.
- Vodafone Idea may pull in roughly 1 million new customers despite mounting pressure.
ARPU Expectations
Rising data consumption and broader 5G reach are set to lift average revenue per user for each carrier.
- Jio’s ARPU might edge up 1 % to roughly ₹218 per month.
- Airtel’s ARPU could rise about 2 % to near ₹269 per month.
- Vodafone Idea’s ARPU is projected to increase around 0.8 % to approximately ₹178 per month.
5G Expansion as a Growth Engine
Both Jio and Airtel have already rolled out 5G to more than 95 % of India’s districts and are now concentrating on boosting compatible device adoption. Vodafone Idea has launched 5G in about 200 cities and is gradually widening its coverage.
What Customers Should Keep an Eye On
So far, no operator has officially announced a price increase. The 12‑15 % hike remains a projection that could materialise within the next few months. Should the forecast hold true, consumers might notice higher recharge amounts or altered plan structures, making it prudent to await formal notices before drawing conclusions.
