November 11, 2013 4:24:24 am
Indias second largest telecom operator Vodafone expects phone call and other mobile services rates to go up every year,indicating that low tariff regime may not be sustainable any longer for the industry.
We have lower tariffs for 18 years against inflation of 8-9 per cent per year. Now,can you do that forever? No you cant, Vodafone India MD and CEO Marten Pieters said.
So the point has come where lowest has been seen,we will have to increase our tariffs every year depending on cost levels, he said.
Last month,the company increased 2G mobile Internet rates along with two other players,Airtel and Idea Cellular,in the range of 25-30 per cent.
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Peiters said that going forward 2G data rates and 3G data rates will be at same level indicating a further hike in 2G mobile internet rates.
We started 6-7 times high tariff rate when we opened up 3G network. It is now back to 1.5 to 1.6 times of 2G data rates. It over time will come together. But it cant come over time just by lowering 3G tariff,it needs to also see increase of 2G tariffs. Once it is equal,it doesnt matter to customer anymore, Pieters said.
The companys competitors such as Reliance Communications and Aircel have,meanwhile,reduced 3G mobile internet rates to bring them on par with 2G mobile internet rates. My assumption is that our price increase will always be lower than inflation but you cant of-course forever keep lowering your prices,its impossible, he added.
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