Your recharge is about to get more expensive again. A new report from brokerage firm Centrum projects that India’s three major telecom operators — Jio, Airtel, and Vi — will raise mobile plan prices by roughly 12% over the next three to four months.
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How Much More Would You Actually Pay?
If the projected 12% hike plays out uniformly across popular plans, here’s roughly what that looks like on some of the most-used recharge packs:
| Plan (Validity) | Current Price | Projected Price (~12% hike) |
|---|---|---|
| 28 days | ₹349 | ~₹389 |
| 84 days | ₹899 | ~₹1,007 |
| 365 days | ₹3,599 | ~₹4,031 |
For context, the ₹899 figure already reflects a hike — TechnoSports reported earlier this year on Airtel quietly raising its 84-day plan from ₹859 to ₹899 with no formal announcement. If Centrum’s projection holds, that same plan could cross the ₹1,000 mark within months — a psychological threshold most users have avoided until now.
This Isn’t a Surprise — It’s a Pattern
Indian telecom pricing has been on a steady upward trajectory for a while now. TechnoSports flagged this trend as far back as last year, when Airtel discontinued its budget-friendly ₹249 plan entirely, with industry experts at the time already anticipating a 15% tariff hike by December 2025. Operators have consistently prioritised improving Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) over retaining ultra-budget subscribers, gradually phasing out entry-level plans in favour of premium-tier positioning.
Why Operators Keep Raising Prices
The financial pressure is real on all three fronts. Vi has long carried a heavy AGR (Adjusted Gross Revenue) debt burden, Airtel continues investing heavily in 5G rollout and network expansion, and Jio — despite leading subscriber numbers — has shown it’s willing to move in step with rivals rather than undercut them once a hike cycle begins. A coordinated 12% increase across all three suggests none of them wants to be the one absorbing costs while competitors raise prices around them.
What You Can Do Before the Hike Hits
If a price increase is coming in the next three to four months, locking in a longer-validity recharge now at current rates could save you real money later. It’s worth comparing your current plan against alternatives — TechnoSports’ breakdown of the best 2GB/day recharge plans across Jio, Airtel, Vi, and BSNL is a good starting point if you’re considering switching operators before prices move. You can also check live plan details directly via TRAI’s tariff plan portal for the most current, verified pricing.
The Takeaway
A 12% hike would push the ₹349 plan to roughly ₹389, the ₹899 plan past ₹1,000, and annual plans up by over ₹400 — a meaningful jump for budget-conscious users. Nothing is official yet, so treat this as an informed projection rather than a confirmed announcement. TechnoSports will track this closely as operators make their move over the coming months.
