Telcos to gain from more data use as callers may shift to OTT apps

NEW DELHI: The sharp increase in prepaid tariffs by Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio Infocomm could lead to a rise in calls made over over-the-top (OTT) apps such as WhatsApp, say analysts. But telecom operators stand to benefit from a likely boost to data consumption and revenue, as a result of higher usage of OTT calling services.

“In a plan with voice tariff hiked and data price being same, calling will shift to OTT,” International Data Corporation’s India research director Navkendar Singh said, adding that voice-over-OTT apps using WiFi for connectivity could also rise, as WiFi connectivity at home and public places expands.