ITV

Tag: Telecom operator

  • Bharti Airtel hikes mobile tariffs effective 26 November

    Bharti Airtel hikes mobile tariffs effective 26 November

    Mumbai: Bharti Airtel has announced its new mobile tariffs that will come into effect from 26 November. The telecom service provider has hiked its tariffs by 20-25 per cent across its offerings.

    The company in a statement said, “Airtel has always maintained that the mobile average revenue per user (ARPU) needs to be at Rs 200 and ultimately at Rs 300, so as to provide a reasonable return on capital that allows for a financially healthy business model.”

    “We also believe that this level of ARPU will enable the substantial investments required in networks and spectrum. Even more important, this will give Airtel the elbow room to roll out 5G in India,” it added.  

    In August, Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Mittal has expressed his concern that the telco business in India is unsustainable at the current ARPUs. He observed that Indians were consuming on average 16 Gb of wireless data per month yet revenue realisation of telcos per Gb of data remains very low.

  • Vodafone Idea officially starts operation as largest Indian telco

    Vodafone Idea officially starts operation as largest Indian telco

    MUMBAI: The mega Vodafone-Idea merger in the Indian telecom sector finally comes to closure creating India’s largest telecom operator with the most subscribers and revenue share. The new entity stands with a subscriber base of over 408 million and 32.2 per cent pan India revenue market share. However, both the brands will continue to operate independently. The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) approved the merger yesterday.

    The merger has displaced Bharti Airtel from the top spot which has held the spot for the last 15 years. As of July 2018, the company has a user base of 344 million. Now the Indian telecom sector stands with three large players – Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio. Mukesh Ambani-led  Reliance Jio is the third largest telecom operator in the country with 215 million subscribers.

    “Today, we have created India’s leading telecom operator. It is truly a historic moment. And this is much more than just about creating a large business. It is about our vision of empowering and enabling a new India and meeting the aspirations of the youth of our country. The ‘Digital India’, as our Prime Minister describes it, is a monumental nation building opportunity. As Vodafone Idea, we are partnering in this initiative by building a formidable company of international repute, scale and standards,” Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone Idea Ltd chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla commented.

    Kumar Mangalam Birla has been named as the chairman of Vodafone Idea Ltd and Balesh Sharma as the CEO of the combined entity. The new board of directors include six independent directors.

    The merger is expected to generate Rs 140 billion annual synergy, including opex synergies of Rs 84 billion, equivalent to a net present value of approximately Rs 700 billion. The Department of Telecom (DoT) had given a conditional nod for the merger of these companies on 9 July.

    “As India’s leading telecom operator with two popular and loved brands, the company has the scale and resources to ensure sustainable customer choice and introduce new technologies. We are committed to offer both our retail and enterprise customers an excellent experience while fulfilling their evolving digital and connectivity needs via new products, services and solutions. We will offer them more network coverage, more value and more excitement. My team and I look forward to your continuing support and invite you to enjoy the Vodafone Idea experience,” Sharma said.

  • Focus on data brings remarkable growth to Aircel in Karnataka

    Focus on data brings remarkable growth to Aircel in Karnataka

    MUMBAI: As a result of strong focus on data driven products and services, Aircel, one of India’s leading telecom operators, has become the fastest growing telecom operator in Karnataka in the last quarter ending September 2015.

    Aircel grew in gross revenue by a good 3.1% while the industry de-grew by 0.9% with data contributing a whopping 27% to the overall revenue. Aircel has been buoyant in its Karnataka operations and the company’s  growth is attributed to the success of innovative data products and services such as Combo 196, Free Basic Internet for all, Unlimited 3G Packs starting at Rs 9 to name a few.

     Aircel Karnataka circle business head Kanwarbir Singh said, “Karnataka is one of the key markets for us and we have grown remarkably in the market. We provide the best ‘value for money’ products to our customers to suit their needs. There has been a dramatic increase in the sales of smartphones and this has led to a widespread need of data, especially for the youth. We’re confident that our products will not only greatly ease the pockets of our new customers, but also help to fuel internet adoption in the country for those who still aren’t online. It is a known fact that with each passing day, the need of our customers to have access to seamless data connectivity on their mobile phones is increasing manifold. With increasing frequency and hours of time spend on being online; there is a customer fear of probable bill shock due to perception of high charges. Unlimited 3G packs starting at as low as Rs 9, erases all such worries and gives confidence to use 3G and Stay Online. We are extremely committed to the Karnataka circle and will constantly strive to provide simple and innovative products and services to our customers”

     Also, in its aggressive mode to spearhead the data growth in the country, Aircel, recently launched an affordable range of industry first Unlimited 3G packs ranging from Rs.9 to Rs.397 for all its customers. With this trend setting move, Aircel hopes to encourage its existing and potential customers to stay connected online with Aircel.

    Aircel’s industry first offers of unlimited 2G/3G data packs of Rs.9, Rs.84, Rs.249 and Rs. 397 are intended to redefine the way mobile internet is consumed in India. With an USSD recharge of Rs.9 per day, subscribers can enjoy 100MB 3G and thereafter unlimited 2G for a day. Subscribers can also enjoy 1GB, 3GB and 7.5GB of unlimited 3G/2G data for Rs.84, Rs.249 and Rs. 397 respectively.

    The 1GB, 3GB & 7.5GB ETOP packs, with validity of 10 days, 30 days and 15 days, are in line with the growing data consumption.

    Aircel Karnataka circle marketing head Karthik .V  said, “We have witnessed an increasing demand for data especially for entertainment and productivity purposes. Being a data focused company, constantly innovating with data products is the only way to stay relevant for our consumers. Aircel sees a huge opportunity to get more first time internet users on board as well as help graduate existing data users to faster technologies like 3G.”