BENGALURU: Mobile internet users could not have been happier. The unprecedented data war between mobile service providers has resulted in data costing less than a rupee per GB. Industry watchers say the competition among service providers may lead to zero-rated services making a comeback. They also feel tariffs may be fixed based on internet speed and not data consumption.
After Reliance Jio came out with a mega offer of providing free internet in the end of 2016, other service providers have been coming up with lucrative internet offers. Though the last to enter the data war, state-owned BSNL’s offers may kickstart a fresh round of data plans, freebies, etc., being unleashed for consumers.
Experts say the future of mobile internet could see service providers offering free internet but charging customers based on internet speed as the technology in the telecom industry is rapidly changing.
Kalavathi, Assistant General Manager of BSNL, Karnataka Circle, said, “Technology is improving and our data plans are as good as any other competitor in the market.” BSNL sources said, “The data war will continue probably for the next few months.”
Tapan Patra, director of Association of Competitive Telecom Operators (ACTO), said a report on net neutrality is before the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) which is expected to go through it soon. ACTO has also submitted its report to TRAI on the specific issue, he said.
“Data plan prices have hit the bottom and are expected to stabilise in the next few months. It is now a promotional period for service providers after Reliance Jio came up with the mega plan. Probably a year from now, things are going to change and prices may rise a bit,” he added.
He pointed out that with better internet speed, data consumption is bound to rise. “We can expect offers from service providers based on the speed they can provide and not on consumption of the data. Consumers may have to pay more if they need good internet speed,” he added.