Telcos may delay tariff hikes to next FY

Mumbai: Private telcos Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea are expected to delay the next round of prepaid tariff hikes to the next fiscal year starting April 1, 2024, instead of the second quarter of this fiscal year, analysts said.

They attribute this likely delay due mainly to rising competition to acquire higher paying customers, weak consumption environment, and increased potential to poach customers from cash-strapped Vodafone Idea, which is yet to launch its 5G services.