Mobile operators expected to increase their new tariff and package prices
With consecutive increases in mobile operators’ bills, bills have increased by 150% in a year. Following the announcement of the new maximum fee schedule to be announced by the Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK) on April 1, it is expected that operators will also increase their new tariff and package prices.
Citizens complained to the Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK) about the excessively increasing mobile phone package and tariff prices compared to last year. According to Sabah’s report, the ceiling price application imposed by the institution on operators was also insufficient to solve the problem. Despite earning billions of liras in sales revenue last year, mobile operators increased fees by approximately 150% above inflation this year. BTK is expected to announce a new maximum fee schedule on April 1, after which operators are expected to increase their new tariff and package prices.
While the BTK imposes ceiling limits on operators’ call and SMS charges twice a year in April and October with the “Maximum Fee Schedule for Mobile Electronic Communication Services,” it operates free market conditions for internet charges within the framework of the Electronic Communication Law. For this reason, operators apply primarily increased tariffs for internet packages. BTK, which limited domestic call minutes to 2.45 TL and international call minutes to 24.57 TL in October 2023, had set the domestic SMS price at 1.75 TL. Now, while an increase in call minutes and SMS ceiling prices is expected on April 1, those wishing to extend their commitment may encounter new tariff increases after this date.
Attention to April 1st!
Therefore, those whose commitment is approaching need to make their new tariff and package commitments by April 1st to avoid being affected by the increase. Citizens can complain and report by calling ALO 120, or they can submit their complaints to the institution by filling out the form at https://tuketici. btk.gov.tr/ if they wish. BTK directs the complaints to the relevant operator and demands a solution to the problem. If the problem remains unresolved and the citizen files a second complaint on the same issue, this time the situation turns against the operators. The institution, which conducts annual citizen satisfaction surveys, can impose administrative fines on relevant operators according to the dissatisfaction rate.
