Bharti Airtel has removed its Rs 118 and Rs 289 plans from the prepaid mobile recharge listings. Instead, the brand has silently increased the prices of these plans, introducing the same plan benefits but at a higher cost of Rs 129 and Rs 329 respectively, reports Telecom Talk. The Rs 129 plan functions as a data booster, while the Rs 329 prepaid plan offers a validity of 35 days.
Let’s take a detailed look at the details of these plans with updated prices.
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Airtel’s Rs 118 plan now costs Rs 129: Bharti Airtel has adjusted the pricing of its Rs 129 plan, now standing at Rs 129, up from its previous rate of Rs 118. This plan offers users a generous allocation of 12GB of data, available for consumption at any time they desire. The plan’s validity aligns with the active base prepaid plan, offering seamless continuity. However, it is important to note that apart from the data allotment, no additional benefits are included. This price adjustment results in a slight increase in the cost per GB of data, rising from Rs 9.83 to Rs 10.75.
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Airtel’s Rs 289 plan now costs Rs 329: Similarly, Bharti Airtel’s Rs 329 plan, previously priced at Rs 289, has undergone a revision. The plan now provides users with a validity period of 35 days, along with 4GB of data, unlimited voice calling, and 300 SMS. Additionally, customers receive complementary Airtel Thanks benefits, such as a subscription to Apollo 24|7 Circle, free Hellotunes, and access to Wynk Music, all at no extra charge. Despite the increase in price, from Rs 289 to Rs 329, the daily usage cost has risen marginally from Rs 8.25 to Rs 9.4. It’s worth noting that this plan isn’t primarily designed for heavy data users but rather targets individuals seeking short-term validity combined with modest data and voice calling benefits.
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Notably, this isn’t the first time Airtel has raised prices. Last year, the telecom company discontinued its base plan priced at Rs 99 in several states, subsequently increasing tariffs by 57 percent. This time, users in specific Indian states must recharge with a minimum plan of Rs 155 to keep their SIM cards active. Airtel phased out its Rs 99 plan starting from November 2022, initially in Odisha and Haryana, and later expanded to other regions including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Northeast, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh (West) by January 2023.
The tariff hike is reportedly attributed to mounting pressure on companies’ revenue and margins. The Average Revenue Per User (ARPU), a critical performance indicator for telecom companies, saw moderate growth for Airtel, Vodafone Idea, and Jio in the third quarter. Now, with the price increase, the ARPU is expected to experience a significant boost.
