After giving a series of shockers to consumers like hiking broadband tariffs without proper communication and reducing prepaid freebies, BSNL is all set to hike some prepaid plan tariffs by 67% and withdraw certain plans.
These changes are applicable for BSNL's PAN India plans and circle specific plans are not included as of now. The changes are set to take effect on August 1, 2014.
Plans to be Withdrawn
- New General Plan
- Student Special
- Life Time plan
[Newer Version: 3 Aug. 2014]
BSNL has further revised some key particulars w.r.t. retained plans in terms of plan voucher costs and freebies.
Tariffs
[Older Version: 12 July 2014]
Plan Revisions - Key Details
The old tariffs are mentioned in braces wherever applicable. Amounts are in Rupees.
| Per Minute Plan | Per Second Plan | Pyari Jodi | |
| Plan Voucher MRP | 104 (37) | 48 (42) | 75 (75) |
| Freebies | Free bundled talk time of Rs. 100 | Free bundled top-up of Rs. 40 | 2000 + 2000 seconds on-net and off-net calls |
| Special Benefit | Full talk Value on top of Rs. 200 and above for all circles except Kerala. For Kerala, full talk value on Top-Up Rs.200,400, 600,800, 1000 only | Local Voice call to one BSNL Fixed / WLL number in his/her own name free up to 30 mins per day. Call charges beyond 30 mins will be normal charges. | |
| Voice Calls - Local/STD on-net | 1.00 (0.60) - a hike of 67% | 0.018 (0.012) - A hike of 50% | |
| Voice Calls - Local/STD off-net | 1.00 (0.70) - a hike of 43% | 0.018 (0.015) - a hike of 20% | |
We at TelecomTALK understand that tariff hikes are inevitable, but BSNL must probably avoid hiking tariffs by steep margins without improving certain aspects of service like customer care. BSNL must do their best to maintain a competitive edge and therefore retain customers.
Readers, what do you feel about these drastic hikes by BSNL? Do let us know by comments!
