#Idea hikes prepaid data tariffs by 18% in #Delhi

Idea Cellular prepaid customers in Delhi and NCR will now have to cough out more for using data as the company has increased rates by over 18% with effect from June 3.

The company has made changes in most of the recharges and vouchers for 2G and 3G services.

According to industry sources, the company also plans to increase the data tariffs in five-six more circles in the coming days.

When asked to comment on the matter, the company did not reply.

According to information taken from customer care of Idea Cellular, the company has increased 3G data tariffs by over 18% and 2G tariffs by 11%.

A customer care executive said the 1 GB pack of 3G with a validity of 28 days will now come for Rs 295 compared with Rs 249 earlier, while a 1GB, 2G data pack for will now come for Rs 195 with 28 days validity as against Rs 175 earlier.

The company has also reduced validity of various packs. For instance, customers will now get a validity of 7 days with a recharge of Rs 247 for 1GB, while earlier it used to cost Rs 249 with 28 days validity.

Idea is the first telecom operator, which has increased data tariffs after the March spectrum auctions.

Idea was successful in securing spectrum in all the nine telecom circles (which account for 69% of its revenues) that came up for renewal. The company had paid over Rs 7,000 crore of the overall outgo of more than Rs 30,000 crore.

In a bid to improve profitability, telecos have been cutting back on discounts and freebies. Last year also, firms including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea had increased data as well as call tariffs.

After the March spectrum auction, industry associations had said there would be hike in tariffs as operators have to pay about Rs 1,09,874 crore to the government.


Ref- TOI

#Apple Ranks 5th on the 2015 Fortune 500 List

Apple has been ranked fifth on the 2015 Fortune 500 List. Companies are ranked by total revenues for their respective fiscal years. Included in the survey are companies that are incorporated in the U.S. and operate in the U.S. and file financial statements with a government agency. 

Apple was also ranked 5th on the list last year.

After a bumpy start to 2014, Apple's stock finished the year up 40%, adding nearly $200 billion to the company's market value. A product pipeline that's gotten Apple fanboys lining up all over again has certainly helped reenergize revenue growth: In addition to unveiling new categories like Apple Pay and Apple Watch, the company launched the iPhone 6, selling a record-breaking 10 million units in the first three days. As CEO Tim Cook recently told investors: "It's tough to find something in the numbers not to like." The normally low-profile Cook is breaking new ground in other ways too—in October, 2014 he came out as the first openly gay CEO of a Fortune 500 company. 


Ref - iClarified