New Delhi, February 7 – India’s telecom industry has witnessed a massive drop in calling and data costs over the past decade, with calling rates plummeting by 94% since 2014according to Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.

Scindia highlighted that in 2014, the cost of making a one-minute phone call was 50 paisewhereas today, it has dropped to just 3 paise per minute. This dramatic reduction in tariffs is largely due to industry-wide restructuringparticularly after Reliance Jio’s disruptive entry into the market with free calling and affordable data plans.

Internet & Mobile Penetration Surges

Scindia further emphasized the unprecedented growth in mobile and internet users over the past decade:

Mobile Subscribers:
2014: 90 crore (900 million)
2024: 116 crore (1.16 billion)

Internet Users:
2014: 25 crore (250 million)
2024: 97.44 crore (974 million)

The four-fold rise in internet subscribers showcases India’s rapid digital expansiondriven by affordable data plans and increasing smartphone adoption.

Data Costs Drop by 93% Since 2014

Cost of 1GB Data:
2014: ₹ 270 for GB
2024: ₹ 9.70 for GB

This 93% reduction has played a crucial role in India’s digital transformationmaking internet access more affordable for millions.

5G Deployment & Tariff Adjustments

While telecom costs have drastically fallen, Scindia acknowledged a recent 10% hike in tariffsattributing it to the ₹4.5 lakh crore (₹4.5 trillion) investment in 5G infrastructure. He stressed that telecom operators need a reasonable return on their investment to continue advancing India’s digital connectivity.

Despite the slight increase in tariffs, India still boasts some of the world’s most affordable mobile and data services.

Final Thoughts: India’s Telecom Revolution Continues

The Indian telecom sector has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade. The sharp decline in mobile and data costscoupled with exponential internet growthhas accelerated digital inclusion across the country.

With the expansion of 5G and continuous technological advancementsIndia’s telecom industry is set to scale even greater heights in the coming years.