As expected a day after Vodafone slashed data charges by 80 percent, Bharti Airtel too lowered its data usage charges by 90% in Punjab and Haryana. While Vodafone calls it democratization of data, Airtel said it wants to make internet usage affordable for its subscribers. Yet the fact is that operators are now fighting the new battle for internet penetration though mobile in rural and semi-urban regions of the countries.

Airtel said that the volume based charges (VBC) on its recharge vouchers for 2G data usage of three denominations had been reduced to 1 paisa from 10 paise per 10 KB.  The recharge vouchers of Rs.22, Rs.25 and Rs.125 carry a free download limit of 125 MB for five days, 150 MB for seven days and 1 GB for 28 days.
 
It said that after the free download, the customers were now charged at 10 paise per 10 KB, which have been reduced to 1 paisa per 10 KB with immediate effect.
 
Vodafone India on Tuesday announced  a massive 80% price cut in charges for its data customers.This rate would be applicable for all pre-paid and post-paid customers using 2G network on a ‘Pay as you Go’ basis in Karnataka, UP West and MPCG and will be rolled out nationally in phased manner.
 
The company is betting on the growing mobile penetration in the country which can play a major catalyst in internet penetration which presently is not significant.
 
Aircel too has introduced Pocket Internet pack for Rs 23 to drive internet adoption among first-time internet users while MTS India, is betting on data via mobile providing innovative data offerings to tier-I, II and rural user base.
 
 Aircel said that the rate cut from 10p/10KB to 2p/10KB will make internet access affordable for customers who use mobile internet in a limited way. These new charges are the lowest in market making them extremely attractive for all customers.
 
Vivek Mathur, Chief Commercial Officer, Vodafone India said, “This 80% reduction in data charges for customers using 2G network is an important step in this direction and we are confident that this move will facilitate in faster adoption and better usage.”
 
 MTS on Wednesday  announced the launch of its high-speed mobile broadband service, MBlaze in 37 new towns across Tamil Nadu
 
“This latest expansion will enable MTS data customers to experience state-of-the-art high speed data services including Live TV and Games-on-Demand”, said Suresh S Kumar, Chief Operating Officer Tamil Nadu Circle, MTS India
 
He said that MTS has over 1,75,000 data customers across Tamil Nadu and with further expansion in our HSD footprint in the state, we expect to add many more customers in the next few months”.
 
MTS provides High Speed Mobile Broadband services in over 350 towns across India. The company is rapidly expanding its high speed data network and currently addresses over 60% of data potential across India.
 
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