Jio effect: Telecom operators to take a long pause on tariff hikes

Reliance Jio’s September 10 launch of its new, affordable 4G smartphone, in partnership with tech major Google, has ruled out the prospects of any tariff hike by telecom operators for quite a long period of time.

A status quo in tariffs would still see improvement in Jio’s average revenue per user (Arpu) as some subscribers of its current cheap 4G phone, JioPhone, are expected to upgrade to the new one, JioPhone Next. Rival Bharti Airtel would also not be impacted as its tariffs are already at a premium to Jio’s and it has the advantage of having premium users.