The Indian government has refuted claims made by the Congress party regarding recent tariff increases in the mobile services sector. Emphasizing that mobile tariffs in India are determined by market forces, the Ministry of Communications dismissed what it called "misleading claims" about the price hikes.
In a statement released on Friday, the Ministry clarified that India boasts some of the lowest mobile tariffs globally, thanks to competitive market dynamics. It pointed out that three private telecom companies and one public sector player collectively offer affordable services compared to other international markets.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) oversees tariff regulations, ensuring that subscribers benefit from competitive pricing. The Ministry highlighted that, on average, Indian mobile users enjoy unlimited voice calls and 18 GB of data for just USD 1.89 per month. This stands in stark contrast to higher rates prevalent in countries like the US, Australia, the UK, and Russia.
Regarding the recent tariff hikes, the government reiterated its stance of non-interference in market decisions, emphasizing TRAI's regulatory role. It noted that the telecom sector's growth, including advancements like 5G and Internet of Things (IoT), hinges on maintaining financial viability through reasonable tariffs.
The statement also credited government policies over the past decade for transforming the telecom sector from controversy and opacity to a more transparent and growth-oriented industry. It emphasized that the progressive policies have led to a significant reduction in telecommunication costs for both voice and data services.
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