BSNL removes Rs 10, Rs 20 prepaid plans; vouchers available offline

Back in December 2018, Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel had introduced the minimum recharge plan of Rs 35, doing away with the small value recharges like Rs 10, Rs 20 and Rs 30. The move was aimed at boosting the telcos' Average Revenue Per User (ARPU). Now, BSNL has also adopt similar approach. The telecom operator has started removing the small denomination prepaid recharges for some of its circles. At present, the Rs 10 and Rs 20 recharge plan is not available online for customers of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, but is available for other states like Karnataka, Kerala, Bihar and Maharashtra. 

While the e-recharge option is not available in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the physical vouchers/coupons are available offline. This is quite possible that the telco may have removed the recharge on trial basis and may phase it out gradually from across the country. However, no minimum recharge plan has been introduced for the customers. Thus, it gives the BSNL customers an advantage over Vodafone or Airtel users who are bound to do a minimum recharge of Rs 35.

BSNL is yet to get the 4G services and currently offers only 2G and 3G data connectivity. Recently, the telco has revamped its Rs 35, Rs 53, Rs 395 and Rs 666 plans while it has discontinued two plans - Rs 999 and Rs 2,099.

The BSNL has also introduced a new Rs 599 plan recently in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana circle. The Rs 599 plan comes with a validity period is 180 days and offers unlimited national roaming, unlimited local and national calling. There isn't any data or SMS benefits associated with this plan. Thus, it's best for users who want only calling facility and a long validity.