India’s telecom industry has been buzzing with news of major players Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea increasing the prices of their prepaid plans. This has caused a stir among their millions of subscribers, who are now wondering which operator offers better pricing and benefits. The new prepaid plans will go live on July 3, so let’s take a closer look at what these plans have to offer and which one may be the best fit for you.
First, let’s understand the underlying reason behind the price hike. The telecom industry in India has been facing financial troubles for a while now, with companies struggling to sustain themselves in the highly competitive market. The arrival of Reliance Jio in 2016 with its game-changing low priced plans, and subsequent price war among the operators, have led to a significant decline in their revenue and profits. In fact, the Indian government estimates that the telecom industry owes around 1.47 lakh crore rupees ($20 billion) in adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues. This prompted the operators to increase their prices in order to remain financially viable and continue providing quality services to their subscribers.
With this in mind, let’s delve into the details of the new prepaid plans from Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea.
Reliance Jio has increased the price of its All-in-One plans by 25-40%, while Airtel and Vodafone Idea have increased their prepaid plans by 14-33% and 25-41% respectively. However, they have also upped the benefits and validity of their plans to compensate for the price hike. Reliance Jio’s All-in-One plans start at Rs. 129 for 28 days, with a data limit of 2GB per day and unlimited voice calls, 300 SMS, and access to Jio apps. Airtel’s new plans start at Rs. 148 for 28 days, offering 2GB data per day, unlimited voice calls, and 300 SMS. Similarly, Vodafone Idea’s new plans start at Rs. 149 for 28 days, providing 2GB data per day, unlimited voice calls, and 300 SMS.
Moving on to the plans with longer validity, Reliance Jio’s All-in-One plans with 84 days validity start at Rs. 399, offering 2GB data per day, unlimited voice calls, 100 SMS per day, and access to Jio apps. Airtel’s plans with 84 days validity start at Rs. 419, providing 1.5GB data per day, unlimited voice calls, 100 SMS per day, and access to Airtel Xstream and Wynk Music. Vodafone Idea’s plans with 84 days validity start at Rs. 379, offering 6GB data, unlimited voice calls, and 100 SMS per day.
For those looking for even longer validity, Reliance Jio’s All-in-One plans with 365 days validity start at Rs. 2,199, providing 1.5GB data per day, unlimited voice calls to any network, 100 SMS per day, and access to Jio apps. Airtel’s plans with 365 days validity start at Rs. 1,499, offering 24GB data (1GB per day), unlimited voice calls, and 3600 SMS. Whereas, Vodafone Idea’s plans with 365 days validity start at Rs. 1,499, providing 24GB data (1.5GB per day), unlimited voice calls, and 3,600 SMS.
It’s evident that all three players are offering similar plans with slight differences in terms of data, voice, and SMS benefits. While Reliance Jio has increased its prices the most, it is still offering the best value for money with higher data limits and access to its own apps. Airtel has also upped its game by offering access to Airtel Xstream and Wynk Music with its plans, while Vodafone Idea continues to struggle with its network issues and fewer benefits compared to its competitors.
It’s important to note that while the price hike may be an inconvenience for subscribers, it is necessary for the operators to sustain themselves and continue providing quality services. It’s a small price to pay for the convenience, connectivity, and entertainment that these operators offer on a daily basis.
In conclusion, the new prepaid plans from Airtel,
