Tariff War: Idea Cellular slashes data charges 90 per cent

Idea Cellular today slashed data charges in eight circles,following Bharti Airtel and Vodafone.

Triggering a tariff war,Idea Cellular today slashed data charges by 90 per cent in eight circles,following Bharti Airtel and Vodafone,who recently cut their rates by similar margins in select circles. 8220;Idea Cellular8230;has revised data tariff in eight circles across the country8230;users can now access data for 2 paise/10 KB,which is a 90 per cent reduction in the existing tariff of 2 paise/KB,8221; Idea Cellular said in a statement.

Bharti Airtel had yesterday slashed data usage charges by 90 per cent for pre-paid subscribers in Punjab and Haryana,a day after Vodafone lowered its data charges by 80 per cent for pre-paid and post-paid customers in three circles.

Airtel has reduced the price to 1 paisa per 10 KB from 10 paisa per 10 KB and Vodafone slashed the tariff from 10 paisa per 10 KB to 2 paisa per 10 KB. Idea8217;s new tariff is applicable to all 2G data users who use data on pay-as-you-go basis and also on an average on regular data from July 1,2013 and the offer will be valid for 90 days,the statement added.

8220;The new data rate will be automatically implemented for all Idea 2G postpaid subscribers in these markets,effective July 18230;prepaid users can avail the new rate with a value recharge priced between Rs 5-10,8221; the statement said. Idea said Tamil Nadu amp; Chennai,Karnataka,Kolkata,West Bengal,Assam,North East,Bihar,and Orissa circles will benefit from the revised data tariff.

8220;These eight circles comprise 1/3rd of the total mobile users in India,with a large number of users waiting to board the mobile broadband wagon. Availability of data at such affordable rates will usher in a new wave of mobile data growth in the country,8221; Idea Cellular Deputy Managing Director Ambrish Jain said.