Sad News COAI wants Floor Price for Data Service

[Ashok Varma]

Incumbent telecom carriers— Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio have asked the sector regulator to set up Floor Price for data services soon, and added that due to fierce rivalry, tariff correction was not possible voluntarily by any carrier.
A floor price is a limit on how low the price of a service can be offered.
The group also said that the tariff correction in the current level of fierce competition would not possible by any service provider voluntarily, and the only option available is prescription of a minimum tariff for mobile data service by the regulator.
Airtel, Jio, Vodafone Idea seek Trai’s intervention for setting up floor price of data services - ET Telecom

 

[Ashok Varma]

I think as a consumer we need to form an association and should urge TRAI to set minimum 4G speed of 4 Mbps and 100 % 4G coverage before setting floor price for data. There are some consumer forum opposed it in the recent TRAI meetings. I think still some more consumer supportive associations are needed to control these greedy COAI and TRAI.

 

[Rajat Basak]

What i think that setting a floor price (or minimum price) won't be so helpful for telecom companies. Because it would be so low (even cheaper than Jio's new tarrif) that no one can't provide that much data at low price. Government just want to show us that they are trying to give us more cheaper data.

So the best way is, Follow the Jio. Keep a same tarrif plan just like them. Just 1 rupees difference... But keep the 49, 79, 149 rupees plan for lower usage customers..

 

[Ashok Varma]

Airtel suggests Rs.22/- per GB and Jio advises Rs.15/- per GB for floor price of Data.
Telcos seek floor price for data for 2-3 years, oppose any ceiling

 

[Rajat Basak]

Airtel suggests Rs.22/- per GB and Jio advises Rs.15/- per GB for floor price of Data.
Telcos seek floor price for data for 2-3 years, oppose any ceiling

Absolutely No. Rs 5 per GB mobile data is completely fine if they stop giving 1.5 GB data per day on 149 plan.

Average people use about 2GB data per day (mobile). So for 60GB data per month we have to pay Rs 300. And for 150 for 30 GB.

Also stop giving unlimited call option on same plan.

But for Broadband it should be unlimited. OTT service is completely dependent on broadband. We also download movie, games etc

 

[Ashok Varma]

Absolutely No. Rs 5 per GB mobile data is completely fine if they stop giving 1.5 GB data per day on 149 plan.

Average people use about 2GB data per day (mobile). So for 60GB data per month we have to pay Rs 300. And for 150 for 30 GB.

Also stop giving unlimited call option on same plan.

But for Broadband it should be unlimited. OTT service is completely dependent on broadband. We also download movie, games etc

Telcos are asking floor prices to TRAI for old AGR dues and lot of current spectrum dues payment. If they give dirt cheap data prices in future, then they have no return of capital for their investments (network & spectrum). Even Jio fiber broadband gives 100+50(free)GB only for their basic plan (Rs.699+GST) per month.

 

[Esmail]

Absolutely No. Rs 5 per GB mobile data is completely fine if they stop giving 1.5 GB data per day on 149 plan.

Average people use about 2GB data per day (mobile). So for 60GB data per month we have to pay Rs 300. And for 150 for 30 GB.

Also stop giving unlimited call option on same plan.

But for Broadband it should be unlimited. OTT service is completely dependent on broadband. We also download movie, games etc

Telcos can't survive with Rs.5/GB. The daily data cap will get removed but eventually the operators will offer data for nothing less than Rs.15/GB so the 150 Rs plan will come bundled with just 10 GB bulk data and free voice calls. Wireless data can't be offered that cheap. Yes wired broadband can provide even at Rs.2/GB.

 

[Ashok Varma]

If Jio not increased current plan rates, then it will reduce 4G data quota from 1.5 GB per day to 500 MB per day
As per Jio's proposed Data cost:

Current Plan cost(Rs)	Data per day	Validity	Present cost per GB(Rs)	Proposed cost per GB(Rs)	Increase	Increased Plan cost (Rs)
599	2 GB	84 days	3.57	15	421%	2520
555	1.5 GB	84 days	4.40	15	341%	1890
399	1.5 GB	56 days	4.75	15	316%	1260
199	1.5 GB	28 days	4.74	15	317%	630

 

[greylala91]

Per day data scheme will take a big hit in case floor prices are initiated. All the plans will fall back to pay as you go scheme. That's actually good.

 

[Lobogris]

Telcos can't survive with Rs.5/GB. The daily data cap will get removed but eventually the operators will offer data for nothing less than Rs.15/GB so the 150 Rs plan will come bundled with just 10 GB bulk data and free voice calls. Wireless data can't be offered that cheap. Yes wired broadband can provide even at Rs.2/GB.

Fully agree with you. The 199 plan will come with just 5Gb data eventually while there is a proposed 69 Rs calling ‘forebearance’ component. So we might move towards Rs 199 becoming a base plan for smartphones with free on net calls and around 5Gb data.