New Delhi, October 7 (Udaipur Kiran): India’s top private telecom operators — Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi) — are quietly discontinuing low-cost prepaid plans, particularly those offering 1GB daily data, forcing users to shift to higher-priced recharges.
Recently, all three operators have removed the ₹249 plan, which earlier provided 1GB daily data and was popular among budget users. Jio still lists its ₹209 plan under affordable options, but both Jio and Airtel have taken the ₹249 plan off their websites. Vodafone Idea has now followed suit, removing the plan from its portal as well.
While the companies continue to offer entry-level packs under ₹200, and Vi even has a plan below ₹100, these do not provide daily data benefits. Jio has clarified that customers can still recharge with ₹249 through physical stores, but not via the app or website.
Impact on Users and Operators
For consumers, this means higher monthly spending to maintain similar data usage. The next viable options now hover around ₹300 or more.
For telecom operators, however, this move aligns with their strategy to raise average revenue per user (ARPU) and profit margins. Higher tariffs translate to improved revenues and EBITDA, strengthening their financial performance over time.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has no objection to the withdrawal, stating that operators are free to modify or discontinue plans.
Industry watchers expect further tariff hikes in the coming months as telcos move toward sustainable pricing models to support their 5G rollouts and network expansion.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
