The Indian government is actively working to regulate mobile tariffs. Recently, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that the government’s efforts have led to a 94% reduction in mobile tariff rates since 2014. He also shared key data on mobile and internet subscribers.
Growth in Subscribers
Scindia highlighted a significant rise in mobile users:
- 2014: 90 crore mobile subscribers
- 2024: 116 crore mobile subscribers
- Internet users in 2014: 25 crore
- Internet users in 2024: 97.44 crore
This rapid increase in connectivity has had a major impact on digital inclusion across India.
Drop in Call & Internet Costs
- In 2014, calling cost 50 paise per minute; now it has dropped by 97% to just 3 paise per minute.
- Broadband costs have also fallen by 93% – from ₹270 per GB in 2014 to ₹9.70 per GB today.
Rising Tariff Concerns & 5G Expansion
On concerns about potential tariff hikes, Scindia explained that 5G deployment requires significant investment. Telecom companies need additional funds to expand 5G networks rapidly, which may lead to some price adjustments.
With continuous improvements, India’s telecom sector is expected to become even more affordable and efficient in the coming years.