₹249 used to get you a full month of calls, data, and texts. Starting August 20, it gets you nothing.
₹299 Is the New Minimum
Airtel is discontinuing its most popular entry-level plan - ₹249 for 1GB per day, unlimited calls, 100 SMS, valid for 24 days. Jio already pulled the plug on its ₹209 and ₹249 packs. The cheapest recharge now stands at ₹299.
This isn’t about one company. India’s two biggest telecom operators are moving in sync, quietly raising the floor. For customers, it means paying more for the same service.
The ARPU Push
Why? The answer is ARPU - Average Revenue Per User. For years, Indian telcos have operated on razor-thin margins, among the lowest in the world. Higher tariffs directly push ARPU up, boosting earnings and satisfying investors.
No Real Alternatives
The strategy is clear: fewer low-value packs, more customers forced into higher slabs. With Airtel and Jio controlling over 70% of the market, there’s little choice for users.
Cheap Recharges Are History
For millions who depended on budget-friendly recharges, this marks the end of cheap entry-level packs. Vodafone Idea still has some lower-cost options, but with its weak financial position, it may not hold out for long.
The bottom line: ₹249 is gone, ₹299 is the new minimum. Affordable recharges are history. Higher tariffs are here to stay.
