Airtel users will now have to spend more for an unlimited prepaid recharge.
The telecom company has discontinued its popular ₹299 prepaid plan, making the ₹349 recharge the new entry-level unlimited daily data plan.
The ₹299 pack has already been removed from both the Airtel website and the Airtel Thanks app.
It was previously Airtel’s most affordable plan offering unlimited calling and daily data after its price was increased from ₹249 to ₹299 last year.
What Does the New ₹349 Plan Offer?
With the ₹299 recharge no longer available, customers will now have to choose the ₹349 prepaid plan for unlimited daily data benefits.
The ₹349 plan includes:
2GB high-speed data per day
Unlimited local and STD calls
100 SMS per day
28 days validity
6 months of Apple Music access
12 months of Adobe Express Premium
Free Airtel Hello Tunes
For users who need more data, Airtel also offers the ₹399 prepaid plan, which provides 2.5GB of data per day for 28 days. It also includes a 28-day JioHotstar Mobile subscription.
More Recharge Plans Could Be Removed
According to reports, Airtel may also discontinue its ₹579 and ₹619 prepaid plans in some telecom circles.
However, these plans were still listed on Airtel’s official website at the time of the report. This suggests the changes may be rolled out in phases or limited to specific regions.
Why Has Airtel Removed the ₹299 Plan?
The move is expected to encourage customers to switch to higher-priced recharge plans.
This could help Airtel increase its Average Revenue Per User (ARPU), giving the company more resources to continue expanding its 4G and 5G networks.
The decision also comes at a time when the telecom industry is expecting another round of tariff hikes in the coming months.
What Does This Mean for Customers?
For Airtel users who regularly recharged with the ₹299 plan, the minimum cost of getting unlimited daily data has now increased to ₹349.
Although the new plan offers additional data and extra subscription benefits like Apple Music and Adobe Express Premium, customers will have to pay ₹50 more than before to access Airtel’s entry-level unlimited prepaid services.
