After Airtel and Idea, Vodafone data tariff hike and MTS for 2G and 3G services in Delhi-NCR

Telecommunications service provider Vodafone has increased prepaid data rate for 2G and 3G services in Delhi-NCR up to 47 percent, while rates rose MTS postpaid package data by 8 percent.

The increase comes in the wake of March spectrum auction in which telecommunications companies had paid around Rs 1.1 lakh crore to acquire waves.

However, Sistema Shyam Teleservices, which operates under the MTS brand, did not participate in the auction in March.

Earlier, Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular had increased mobile data rates.

Vodafone has increased the price of its 3G data pack 10GB at Rs 1847 with a validity of 28 days from Rs 1255 earlier.

The second largest mobile operator in the country has increased the price of its package of 1 GB of 3G data for Rs 297 to Rs 255. It has also increased the price of 1 GB 2G package of Rs 195 to Rs 175 earlier.

A Vodafone spokesman did not respond to questions in this regard, while MTS spokesman said: "We have increased mobile data rates by up to 8 percent for postpaid customers."

Vodafone has also made changes in most prepaid plans and has also reduced validity of several packages.

Idea was the first telecommunications operator increased data rates after the spectrum auction March.

Airtel also recently increased rates of mobile internet packages, 2G and 3G, sold online for prepaid customers across the country. The company has withdrawn discounts offered for online purchase of mobile data packages, so that prices on par with Internet packages that are sold online through retailers.

In an attempt to improve profitability, telecommunications companies have been cutting back on discounts and freebies. Last year, companies including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea had increased data and call rates.

After the auction of spectrum in March, industry associations had said it would hike in rates that operators have to meet the commitment of the government.