Barcelona: Underlining the need for a balanced growth in the telecom industry, Bharti group chief Sunil Mittal on Thursday favoured affordable tariffs that would also be viable for the sector.
Against the backdrop of Indian telecom sector passing through turbulent times, Mittal quipped "who will gain if our business is shut down?".
"We will favour affordable service which should be viable for industry. This has to be balanced," he told when asked about his views on the Indian telecom sector.
Mittal, who is attending the Mobile World Congress, pointed out that telecom industry is a very powerful tool for social transformation.
In India, telecom tariffs are among the cheapest even lower than seen in Africa, he noted.
"(Tariffs in India) are still best in the world. Rates in Africa are 7 cents which is Rs 3.5 per minute," Mittal said. On the issue of uncertainties over pricing of spectrum, the Bharti chief said, "We have been offering services with lower tariffs when we have not been charged for spectrum.
Going ahead, if it (spectrum) will be charged, we will also have to charge the customer".
The Indian telecom sector -- which is now grappling with a host of problems -- has seen tremendous growth over the last few years, especially with cheap tariffs luring more number of subscribers.
In recent times, emergence of new players in the sector has not only resulted in stiff competition among themselves but also lower tariff rates.
The industry is waiting for the National Telecom Policy, which is expected to provide more clarity on various issues including spectrum pricing.
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