The Silicon Review ^Asia

The ongoing Covid pandemic had significantly increased the number of mobile and internet users worldwide. The high amount of usage is expected to drop in India because the telecom companies have decided to increase the tariff plan rates from the new financial year (April 1). A recent report from ICRA has shown that the rate will be more than the expected change. During the pandemic, telecom companies enjoyed good revenue due to increased usage in lockdown and people working remotely. But that want not sufficient enough for the companies to manage their expense, and they now want to compensate by increasing the tariff rates. Telecom companies in India totally owe more than Rs 1.69 lakh crore to the AGR.

We must also take into consideration the fact that only 15 companies have come forward and paid Rs 30,254 crore. As of now, telecom giant Airtel owes almost Rs 25,976 crore, Tata Teleservices about Rs 16,789 crore, and Vodafone Idea more Rs 50000 crore. Companies are expected to pay just 10 percent of their outstanding due now, and the remaining amount will be collected in the subsequent years. According to the recent developments, the cash flow has significantly improved for the companies, and capital expenditure is also expected to reduce.