New Delhi — Mobile subscribers across India could soon notice steeper bills, with a new Centrum Institutional Research study forecasting a 12 %‑15 % rise in tariffs over the next four to five months.

Drivers Behind the Expected Increase

Centrum points out that the Indian telecom sector has become highly concentrated, leaving just three private giants to command the market. With fewer competitors, the environment is ripe for carriers to lift prices.

Projected Subscriber Growth

The report anticipates that the leading trio—Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea—will continue expanding their user bases in the July‑September 2026 quarter.

  • Jio is expected to add roughly 8 million new connections.
  • Airtel could attract about 3 million additional customers.
  • Vodafone Idea may gain close to 1 million subscribers despite intensified rivalry.

ARPU Outlook

Rising data consumption and the rollout of 5G are set to push average revenue per user (ARPU) higher for each carrier.

  • Jio’s ARPU might climb about 1 % to roughly ₹218 per month.
  • Airtel’s ARPU could rise around 2 % to approximately ₹269 per month.
  • Vodafone Idea’s ARPU is projected to increase near 0.8 % to about ₹178 per month.

5G Expansion Boosts Momentum

Both Jio and Airtel have already launched 5G services in more than 95 % of India’s districts and are now concentrating on driving adoption of 5G‑compatible devices. Vodafone Idea has introduced 5G in roughly 200 cities and is gradually broadening its coverage.

What Customers Should Keep an Eye On

To date, none of the operators have officially announced a price hike. The 12 %‑15 % increase remains an analyst projection that could materialise within the next few months. If it does, consumers might encounter higher recharge amounts or altered plan structures, so it’s prudent to wait for formal notices before assuming any changes.