Major Relief for Mobile Users: TRAI Mandates Cheaper Plans, BSNL Challenges Jio & Airtel with New Offers
After a period of significant price increases by major telecom companies, with some raising their recharge rates by 25% to 50%, there is now significant good news and a major relief for mobile users across the country. The changes come from both government regulation and new competitive offers from BSNL.
The Problem: How Freebies Led to High Prices
The situation began when companies like Jio entered the market by offering free internet and free calls. While consumers initially saw this as a generous gift, it was a strategy to build dependency. This free system created a habit, an addiction, to constant data access. People became so accustomed to it that they could live without food, but not without the internet.
Once this dependency was established, the companies began to systematically increase their prices. For example, a 1GB plan that initially cost ₹99 was increased to ₹149, then to ₹199, and later to ₹239. Today, that same recharge is nearly ₹300, with the potential for further hikes. This strategy was seen as a form of exploitation, forcing users to pay increasingly high prices for a service they had become reliant on.
Government Intervention: TRAI’s New Rules for All SIM Companies
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recently issued new directives to all SIM card companies to curb this overcharging. The government has made it clear that the days of forcing customers into expensive, bundled plans are over.
The new rules include:
- Separate Plans for Calls and SMS: Companies must now offer separate, cheaper plans for customers who only need calling or SMS services. Many users, such as those with Wi-Fi at home or those who use basic feature phones, do not need mobile data. Previously, they were forced to pay for data they didn’t use just to get calling benefits. This will no longer be the case.
- Availability of Smaller Recharges: Telecom operators are now required to issue a variety of smaller recharge coupons, including those for as little as ₹1.
- Extended SIM Card Validity: Previously, if a user did not recharge for 30 days, incoming calls would be blocked, and after 90 days, the SIM card could be deactivated. Now, a SIM card will not be shut down for up to one year, even with no recharge. A small recharge of just ₹10 can keep the SIM active for an entire year, and incoming calls will continue to be received.
BSNL’s Big Comeback: Unbeatable New Recharge Plans
In addition to regulatory relief, the government-owned BSNL is launching a major comeback with new infrastructure and highly competitive plans. BSNL is in the process of installing approximately 80,000 new towers to improve its network coverage.
BSNL has introduced a blockbuster plan that directly challenges the high prices of Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi).
- The ₹7 Per Day Offer: BSNL has launched a plan that provides 2GB of data per day, unlimited free calls, and free SMS for just ₹7. This is a direct response to other companies charging significantly more for similar or lesser benefits.
- The Annual Plan Advantage: While companies like Jio and Airtel offer a 365-day plan for around ₹3,599, BSNL has launched a plan that costs only ₹2,399. This BSNL plan is valid for 395 days (13 months) and includes 2GB of data per day with unlimited calls and messages. When calculated, this breaks down to approximately ₹7 per day.
- Continued Data Access: Another key advantage of BSNL is that even after you exhaust your daily 2GB data limit, your internet will continue to work at a reduced speed of 40 kbps, unlike other providers who cut off access completely.
For consumers looking for affordability and value, if BSNL provides good network coverage in your area, switching to their new, cheaper plans presents a compelling option.
