Telecom major Bharti Airtel has announced an 80 per cent cut in 3G and 4G charges in a move that will be seen as its attempt to counter the impact of the commercial rollout of Reliance Jio. After the drastic price cut, one GB of 3G or 4G data will be made available at a jaw-dropping price of Rs 51.
According to a statement by Airtel, Airtel customers will initially have to recharge with Rs 1,498, which will provide them with 1GB of 4G or 3G mobile internet usage valid for 28 days. Once the data is exhausted, customers can get 1GB 4G or 3G recharges for just Rs 51 over a period of 12 months.
There is no cap on the number of recharges during the prescribed one-year period.
Airtel currently offers 1GB of 3G or 4G mobile internet for Rs 259 with a validity of 28 days.
Airtel has said it is also in plans to launch a similar scheme for a lower denomination of Rs 748, which will provide 1GB of 4G data to customers for Rs 99 over a period of six months.
"These prepaid packs are live in Delhi and will get launched across circles by August 31, 2016," the statement said.
"With these innovative packs, we are redefining the value proposition on our data packs and allowing our customers get a lot more within the same budget," Bharti Airtel Director - Operations (India & South Asia) , Ajai Puri said.
The move marks an all-out war between telecom companies fighting for their share of the market, which Jio is all set to disrupt. Airtel in July started offering up to 67 per cent more data in existing 4G and 3G schemes which was followed by Idea Cellular and Vodafone.
RJio, which said it has 1.5 million test users on its network, has extended its trial services to all LYF devices users under the Jio LYF Preview Offer.
In August, Airtel made voice calling free even in roaming under a new plan for Rs 1,199 which also included 1GB of 3G or 4G data depending on availability of network.
(With agencies)
