Telecom operators dole out new plans; which one should you take?

Key Highlights

• Telcos have been rolling out new plans to compete with Reliance Jio.
• TRAI announced cut in IUC from October 1.
• Bundled data plans are now on the rise offering unlimited calling, SMS and data.

With telecom operators doling out new tariff plans it might put subscribers in a fix as to which plans may be the best for them.

Telecom Regulatory authority of India (TRAI) announced the cut in interconnect usage charges (IUC) to 6 paise per minute to be implemented from October 1. Since then operators have moved fast to roll out new plans with bundled data benefits and first recharge schemes.

Operators are also in stiff competition with Reliance Jio that recently revised its Dhan Dhana Dhan offer.

Here are a list of plans launched by operators in October 2017.

Airtel’s Rs 199 plan
India’s largest telecom operator, Bharti Airtel has a new tariff plan priced at Rs 199. This plan has been rolled out for Airtel’s existing subscriber base.

The plan offers unlimited local and STD calls along with 1GB data on 4G/3G/2G network for a period of 28 days. However the ‘unlimited’ calls could be restricted to 300 minutes per day and 1200 per week. Also the plan might be applicable for select customers, the report added.

Airtel also has a Rs 178 plan for new customers which offered unlimited calls and 1GB data. Customers can avail of this plan on first and second recharges.

Vodafone's Rs 399 plan
If you are a Vodafone customer, the company rolled out its ‘festive sale offer’ in October to celebrate Diwali.

The plan includes 90GB 4G data for a period of six months. Customers will also get unlimited local and STD calls for Rs 399.

Earlier in September Vodafone was also offering unlimited calling and 250MB for customers who did not want to spend much on monthly plans. This plan was priced at Rs 87.

The plan was valid for a week and was valid for those with 4G handsets. The other subscribers would get 50MB only for a period of seven days.

Idea Cellular’s Rs 248 plan
The third largest operator in the country, Idea, had rolled out Rs 248 plan for its subscribers. The plan is available for all network users – 2G, 3G and 4G.

The plan will give customers 1GB data per day for 28 days irrespective of their network.

Reliance Jio’s Rs 399 plan
The flagship plan for Jio subscribers is the Rs 399 plan which offers 1GB data for a period of 70 days along with unlimited calls and 100 SMS. This translates to 70GB data. For the same price Airtel was offering 1GB data for just 28 days along with unlimited calls and SMS.

For those who do not want to spend as much on bundled data packs Jio has got you covered with its Rs 149 plan. This plan gives customers 4.2GB for 28 days at ‘high speed.’ However Jio has not specified the network speed of the plans.

BSNL’s Rs 429 plan
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd is offering its customers 1GB data per day with unlimited voice calls to all networks for 90 days. This plan has been priced at Rs 429. However subscribers of this plan will not get any SMS bundled in the plan, which means sending messages will be charged separately. Its data speed will also be restricted to only 2G to 3G speeds.