Why Bharti Airtel, Reliance Industries, Vodafone Idea stocks rose up to 23% today

Share price of Bharti Airtel, Reliance Industries and Vodafone Idea rose up to 23.57% in early trade today after the telecom firms raised mobile tariffs for their customers. While Reliance Jio announced a hike in mobile tariffs by up to 40% applicable from December 6, Sunil Mittal-led Bharti Airtel said it would raise rates of pre-paid call and data services from December 3. Vodafone Idea also announced it would raise mobile calls and data charges by around 20% across its pre-paid services from December 3.

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Shares of Bharti Airtel rose up to 9.82%  to Rs 485.75  against previous close of Rs 442.30 in trade today. The large cap stock opened 6.26% higher at Rs 470 on BSE. Bharti Airtel stock has gained 10.12% in last four days. In last one year, the stock has rallied 65.6% and gained 65.4% since the beginning of this year.

Similarly, stock of Reliance Industries, the parent firm of Reliance Jio gained up to 4.07% at Rs 1,614 against earlier close of Rs 1,550.90 on BSE. The stock opened 2.84% higher at Rs 1595 today.  The stock of Mukesh Ambani-led firm  has risen 35.88% during last one year and gained 41.6% since the beginning of this year.

Vodafone Idea share price rose the most gaining 23.57% to Rs 8.49 against its previous close of Rs 6.83 on BSE. The telecom stock opened with a gain of 10% at Rs 7.51 today. However, the stock has lost 61% in last one year and 63%  since the beginning of this year.

"Bharti Airtel today announced its revised tariff plans for its mobile customers. These tariffs will be applicable from Tuesday, December 3, 2019," the company said.

Also read: After Voda-Idea, Airtel to hike prepaid call and data tariffs up to 42% from 3rd December

"Airtel's new plans, represent tariff increases in the range of a mere 50 paise per day to Rs 2.85 per day and offer generous data and calling benefits," it added.

The telecom operator announced new plans which will cost up to 42% more compared to the price that Airtel pre-paid customers pay at present for plans in the "unlimited" category.

Airtel's bundled plans providing unlimited calling and data services that came at Rs 249 (28 days validity) and Rs 448 (82 days validity) will now cost the customers Rs 298 and Rs 598 (84 days validity) respectively.

Reliance Jio said the telecom operator would raise its mobile services rates through its all in one (AIO) plans where it will offer 300% more benefits.

"Jio will be introducing new 'All in One' plans with unlimited voice and data. These plans will have a fair usage policy for calls to other mobile networks. Although, the new plans will be priced up to 40 per cent higher, staying true to its promise of being 'customer-first', Jio customers will get up to 300 per cent more benefits," Reliance Jio said.

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The telecom operator also said that it will take all required measures to sustain the Indian telecommunications industry.

The tariff hike announcements follow a Supreme Court's (SC) ruling on adjusted gross revenue (AGR). Airtel took a staggering hit of Rs 23,045 loss in Q2 earnings ended September 30 due to provisioning of Rs 28,450 crore in the aftermath of the SC's judgement.

Vodafone-Idea's losses ballooned to Rs 50,921.90 crore during the second quarter ended September 30, 2019, impacted by SC's order on the definition of AGR.

The Supreme Court in October had upheld the government's position on including revenue from non-telecommunication businesses in calculating the annual AGR of telecom companies, a share of which is paid as licence and spectrum fee to the exchequer. Old telecom operators Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea took the maximum hit on the payment of statutory dues to the government.

By Aseem Thapliyal