Ever since Reliance Jio shook up India's telecom sector last year after its entry in September with its disruptive plans offering cheap 4G data and unlimited calling, the competition has been hard at work trying to catch up. First it was the free Jio, which lasted until the mid of April. Data was free and so were the calls. Now, Reliance Jio's recently announced 'free' 4G enabled JioPhone has threatened the old guards.
Jio's entry has forced giants like Airtel and Vodafone to drastically reduce their tariffs and offer free calls in order to remain relevant in the market. Bharti Airtel And Vodafone -- two of the biggest players in the India market have been experimenting with various tariffs, data pricing strategies and plans both in the prepaid and post-paid segment in order to compete with Jio. These offers have taken a big toll on their profits and revenues. But for consumers, the competition has been great so far.
As a part of their latest salvo against Reliance Jio, Vodafone and Airtel have unveiled new pre-paid plans that effectively offer 84GB of 4G data for 84 days along with unlimited calls for less than 400 rupees. Reliance Jio also has a plan that offers similar benefits for Rs 399. Which plan gives you better bang for your buck? Although, before we talk in detail, a couple of important points: The Vodafone offer is limited one. It is only for students and that too for new users. The Jio and Airtel offers are for everyone, although only for pre-paid users. With this out, let's talk about the plans.
Airtel's 399 plan
Airtel's new Rs 399 plan offers 1GB of high-speed 4G data per day for 84 days for Rs 399. Along with the high-speed data, users also get unlimited local and STD calls. This plan is only applicable on 4G enabled handsets running on 4G SIMs and cannot be clubbed with any other offer. What this plan does not offer is any free SMS.
Along with the 399 plan, Airtel has also announced another cheaper plan. The Rs 244 plan offers unlimited Airtel - Airtel calls along with 1GB of high-speed data a day for 70 days. There are no free SMS to be found with this plan as well. But then the SIM cost is not that high -- it's around rs 20 or Rs 30. So that is hardly a problem.
Vodafone's Rs 352 plan
Vodafone's Rs 352 plan also offers 1GB of high-speed 4G data per day along with free roaming and unlimited calls for 84 days. Where it pulls ahead of Airtel's plans is the fact that it also offers unlimited SMS, a discount coupon booklet and a messenger bag.
A point to note is that this plan is a part of Vodafone's 'Campus Survival Kit' offer for students in Delhi/NCR. It is only for new connections and costs Rs 445 initially. Although, we have seen other consumers also get it. On paper, though, it is only for students. Subsequent recharges amount to Rs 352 which come with all the above mentioned benefits.
Jio's Rs 399 plan
The trouble-maker, the new kid on the block who sent the old guards running in a scurry thanks to its disruptive pricing also has a Rs 399 plan which offers 1GB of 4G data for 84 days.The new and updated plan also offers unlimited VoLTE local and STD calls (to all operators), unlimited local and STD SMS as well as access to Jio apps.
There is also a Rs 309 plan on offer which gives 1GB of data a day for 56 days along with free VoLTE local and STD calls, unlimited local and STD SMS as well as access to Jio apps.
Verdict: Jio still rules the roost
While on paper, Vodafone's plan seems like the best deal - it comes with various caveats. The plan is only for students in Delhi/NCR and cannot be used by everyone. This makes its use case very restrictive.
Both Jio and Airtel's Rs 399 plan offer similar benefits and tremendous value for money. Airtel's plan is on par with Jio and there is not much to choose between the two. Both offer a gigabyte of 4G data and unlimited local and STD calls. Where Jio pulls ahead is the fact that it also bundles in unlimited local and STD SMS.
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