Jio’s Shocking Price Hike: The Death Knell for India’s Affordable Internet Era
In a move that’s sending shockwaves throughout the Indian telecom industry, Reliance Jio, the country’s largest operator, has announced a whopping 20%+ price hike for its plans, effectively gutting the affordability that once made internet access a reality for the masses.
The new pricing structure, effective July 3, sees Jio’s entry-level plan, which once offered 2GB of data and unlimited calls for a mere Rs 155 ($1.87), now costing a staggering Rs 189. The plan providing 1GB of daily data usage has also jumped from Rs 209 to Rs 249. And that’s not all – Jio is raising prices across the board, including its two-month, three-month, annual, postpaid, and data add-on plans.
This is a clear indication that Jio, a subsidiary of the Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries, has abandoned its mission to make internet access a basic human right. Instead, the company is now prioritizing profits over people, a move that will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences for India’s economy and society.
Akash Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Jio, attempts to spin the price hike as a "step in the direction of furthering industry innovation and driving sustainable growth through investments in 5G and AI technology." But the truth is, this is a blatant attempt to line the pockets of Jio’s shareholders at the expense of Indian consumers.
The Indian telecom industry is dominated by Reliance, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone-Idea, and BSNL-MTNL. But with Jio’s price hike, it’s clear that the company is no longer interested in playing the role of the "good guy" that disrupted the market with its affordable plans. Instead, Jio is joining the ranks of its competitors in a game of price gouging, leaving consumers with few alternatives.
Analysts have been warning of a price hike for months, but this move is still a shock to the system. The consensus view projected an increase of 15-25%, but Jio has gone above and beyond, demonstrating its willingness to sacrifice its market share in the name of profit.
The Indian telecom sector is on the brink of a major transformation, and this price hike is a clear indication that the industry is shifting its focus from market share acquisition to sustained monetization. The sector’s transition to 5G is almost complete, and operators are scrambling to find ways to make more money. Last year, they proposed that tech firms pay them for network usage – a move that would have effectively turned the internet into a luxury good.
And yet, Indian consumers are likely to accept this price hike because, as Bank of America so eloquently put it, there’s "a lack of alternatives/improving stickiness of data offerings." But this is a recipe for disaster, as it will only serve to further widen the digital divide and limit access to information and opportunities for the most vulnerable members of society.
The writing is on the wall – the era of affordable internet in India is coming to an end. And Jio’s price hike is the final nail in the coffin.