Telcos may initially price 5G higher vs 4G: Analysts

Kolkata: Mobile phone consumers may need to pay more for faster data speeds and smoother streaming experiences in the 5G era, with mobile phone companies likely to initially price the services at around a 10-20% premium over 4G rates to drive the next wave of average revenue per user (ARPU) growth. But over time, 5G prices will converge with 4G ones to drive mass adoption, say industry executives and analysts.

Mobile broadband services on 5G offered on the C-band (3.3-3.67 Ghz) airwaves are set to offer more than 10 times faster data speeds than 4G and likely to be targeted initially at high-value customers in urban markets who can afford pricey 5G handsets in the Rs 15,000-Rs 20,000 price range or more.