No, Airtel’s 1GB Data Pack For Rs 51 Is Not As Good As Jio 4G

The latest data plan offer from Airtel may sound more attractive than it is.

Airtel has a tough fight on its hands to counter Reliance Jio 4G. (Photo: Reuters)

Airtel claims to have reduced the price of its 3G/4G data pack in Delhi by up to 80 percent. If one goes by the numbers, it would be hard to argue with them.

While this maybe an effort to deter the craze for Reliance Jio 4G, Airtel has seemingly proved that it can be generous with their data plans. However, a closer look reveals that the offer is not as attractive as it seems.

The telecom operator says that its users will be able to get up to 1GB 3G/4G data for as low as Rs 51, but that doesn’t give us the full picture.

Here’s what Airtel is truly offering.

To avail this benefit, Airtel customers will have to recharge with Rs 1,498 against which they will get 1GB of 4G or 3G mobile internet usage valid for 28 days. Post exhaustion of 1GB data limit, the customers can get 1GB 4G or 3G recharges for just Rs 51 over a period of 12 months and there is no limit on the number of recharges during the period.

Airtel Scheme

Now that gives you more clarity. Considering that a Reliance Jio SIM offers 4G data and voice calls right now, Airtel’s claim of cutting down its own data prices feels a bit stretched.

How so? Let’s put the data price in perspective, when compared with how much users end up consuming nowadays. In general, a 1GB data pack right now costs upwards of Rs 250. And if you recharge for the same amount every month, your total cost annually comes down to Rs 3000.

Whereas, with Airtel’s new scheme, you pay Rs 1498 upfront, and only then you can avail the 1GB for Rs 51 offer which, considering same usage, takes your annual spend on mobile internet to Rs 2,110, thereby letting you save Rs 890, which is not quite what was promised.

This isn’t the first time Airtel has tried to revise its plans and failed to live up to the headlines they end up getting.

Earlier this month, the telecom brand announced an offer wherein its users get unlimited free calling for plans starting from Rs 1,199 but data pack on offer was only 1GB, which is unacceptable for this price.

So, all we have to say to Airtel is, it is no good trying to get users on board, if you can’t really take the aggressive route.

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Airtel Offers Free Unlimited Calls, Just Not For Everyone