BS poll: 48% think mobile services will get costlier post Voda-Idea merger

As telecom sector witnesses consolidation, number of operators will shrink

Vodafone India and Idea Cellular merger is set to create India’s largest telco, not only in terms of subscriber base but also in terms of revenues as well as spectrum holding. It will create a telecom behemoth, with 400 million subscribers and 41% share of the market, ahead of market leader Bharti Airtel-Telenor’s 35.6%. Telcos will become hybrid companies that provide voice, data and other services, including finance.

Even though Vodafone and Idea brands will operate separately, the merger, once completed, would likely have significant ramifications. However, so far nothing has been said about the impact of the merger on Idea and Vodafone customers.

Business Standard conducted an online poll to see what consumers think about this development and here is the result.

1. Out of 370 respondents, 48 per cent thinks that mobile services will get more expensive. 

2. 31 per cent are for the notion of mobile services getting cheaper with only three telecom players that are likely to remain. 

3. 21 per cent feel that there will be no change.

.@bsindia poll for the day: With only three telecom players likely to remain, do you think mobile services will get more expensive?

— Business Standard (@bsindia) March 21, 2017