Airtel Revises Broadband Plans With 1Gbps Data Speed to Rival Jio

Airtel’s latest set of data plans now offer speed up to 1Gbps which is similar to what JioFiber is offering.

New data plans for broadband users from Airtel.

(Photo: The Quint)

Airtel has revised its broadband strategy in the country, mostly to counter Reliance JioFiber’s entry, by offering speeds up to 1Gbps with its data plans. The company has been offering outdated plans with less than appealing range of data speeds, but now it’s high time those are changed for its users.

The plans, now starting from Rs 799 per month, have been packed with faster speeds, but it has decided to scrap the additional data sweetener. That’s not all, Airtel has branded its fixed line internet product, is now called the Xstream Fibre.

This name was first heard with the Xstream devices; set top box and the streaming stick powered by Android TV.

Here’s a closer look at the new Airtel Xstream plans for users in the country.

(Photo: The Quint)

As you can see here, the plans now start from Rs 799 and stretch up to Rs 3,999 per month, with speeds of 100Mbps and up to 1Gbps available respectively. You also get data from 150GB for the entry level plan, to unlimited usage with the most expensive plan.

You also three months of Netflix, one year of Amazon Prime, and access to Zee5 Premium and Xstream content.

In terms of the speed and prices, there’s a significant increase in Airtel’s Xstream offering, which may or may not entice people to sign up for. Interestingly, the addition to faster speed has come at the cost of no additional data being offered as part of any promotional benefit from the telco. However, Airtel has a unique way of fixing that.

Customers can upgrade their Airtel Xstream Fibre plans to ‘unlimited data’ for just Rs 299 per month. Also, Airtel Stream Fibre customers can purchase the Airtel Xstream 4K Hybrid set top box at a special price of Rs 2249 only.

Airtel India statement

This mean, any of the aforementioned plans can offer unlimited data if you pay another Rs 299 every month. This way, Airtel is likely to push for more money from its users.

Now compare this with Reliance JioFiber, where you not only get more data with similar internet speeds, JioFiber users get free set top box and router also.

(Photo: The Quint)

Having said that, Jio’s plans range up to Rs 8,499 per month, with 5TB data and 1Gbps data speeds bundled.

But unlike Airtel, which will be quick to provide you with the service, JioFiber is still yet to operate at full capacity, as many users who’ve registered are waiting for their connections to be installed.