Mobile Data in India: Why is mobile data in India cheaper than in China and Pakistan? The government has revealed the real reason..

Mobile internet prices in India are significantly lower than in many countries around the world, even compared to neighboring countries like China and Pakistan. Although recharge plans may become more expensive in the future, India remains among the countries with the cheapest internet. Now, the government has revealed the real reason behind this.

Minister of State for Communications, Pemmasani Chandra Shekhar, explained the reason for affordable internet in India. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament), he stated that the main reason is the government's policies and the regulations of TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India). These policies have helped maintain balanced pricing for telecom services.

According to the minister, the country's telecom policy and the regulations framed by TRAI ensure intense competition among telecom companies. This directly benefits customers in the form of lower prices for call and data services. The government believes that this is why digital services have become accessible to the common people.

Citing data from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for 2024, the government stated that India is among the most affordable countries in the world in terms of mobile service prices. The government also confirmed several global reports, stating that data and call rates in India are significantly lower than in developed countries.

Under the TRAI Act of 1997, TRAI functions as an independent body. In the current system, the prices of most telecom services are determined by market forces, meaning companies set their own plans. However, TRAI maintains control over essential services such as national roaming, rural fixed lines, and mobile number portability to prevent consumers from bearing an undue burden.

The government believes that affordable mobile data and broadband can propel India to emerge as a major global data hub in the next 4-5 years. This will strengthen the country's digital economy and give new momentum to the Digital India mission.

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