Airtel, Vodafone, Idea hikes 2G data rates by over 25%

While 2G data charges have been hiked, 3G data charges will remain unchanged or might even be reduced.

Three major telecom operators in India - Airtel, Vodafone and Idea - have hiked their 2G data rates across all their major circles. This is the second time in less than a year that the telecom operators have hiked the mobile data tariffs.

All the three telecos are now offering the 1 GB pack, which used to cost Rs 99, for Rs 125 across all their major circles. The 2 GB unlimited pack, offered by both Airtel and Idea, is now priced at Rs 199 against its earlier price of Rs 149. In April 2012, the three operators had also reduced the data cap on the Rs 99 pack from 2 GB to 1 GB in most circles.

However, there is no change in unbundled data usage which continues to be charged at 10 paise per 10 KB.

While 2G data charges have been hiked, 3G data charges will remain unchanged or might even be reduced as 3G adoption has remained dismal in the country. On the other hand, 2G data adoption has increased by almost 300 per cent in the last one year, according to reports.

Exclusive : Vodafone India Launches Online Customer Care Live Chat Support

Vodafone India has introduced a refreshingly new online customer care initiative, ‘Online Live Chat‘ service for all its mobile customers across India.

Happy to Help through Live Chat Service is endeavor in the Indian telecom industry and aims at ensuring customer service as a key differentiator for Vodafone. The service will take care of all postpaid & prepaid queries/ requests & complaints through live Chat option. The new service designed to help customers wherein its customer care executive will chat with website visitors in real time and have their questions answered instantly.

Presently the Live Chat service will be available in Mumbai, Delhi & NCR and Gujarat circles and will be expanded to other circles across India soon. To avail the service, Live Chat, subscribers have to log on to Vodafone India website and select the circle, click on the ‘Chat’ button under the “We’re Happy to Help through live chat now! . Once the customer fills a Pre-Chat Form, he/she automatically gets transferred to a live chat with the company representative.

The representative then resolves/answers queries/requests/complaints and closes the chat accordingly. The service is available only for Vodafone India’s existing prepaid and postpaid customers between 9.00 am to 6.00 pm from Monday to Saturday only.

Vodafone India seeks extension of licenses in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata

odafone India has sought extensions of its licenses in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata which is expiring in November 2014. The incumbent GSM operator had received licences in 1994 with 20-year tenures. It has 24 MHz spectrum in 900 MHz band, which is the best quality spectrum, across these circles.

In its letter to the Telecom Secretary R Chandrashekhar, Vodafone sought the extension under clause 4.1 of the licence agreement. Under the agreement, the government can extend the period of licence by 10 years at one time if the request is made the operator during the 19th year of the licence period.

In addition to other licence conditions remaining same, Vodafone has asked for continuation of existing spectrum too.

“The 19th year of licence has commenced on 29.11.2012 for Mumbai,” Vodafone said in its letter, adding, “We request you to extend the period of our licence …On terms to be mutually agreed”.

Similar letters were sent for the other two circles, which completed the 19th year on November 30, 2012. ”The decision of the licensor shall be final in regard to the grant of extension,” it said.

The government is working on conducting auction of spectrum in 900 MHz band for Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata circles during this financial year, but it is yet to decide on the final date for auction.