Reliance communications has reportedly launched a new special tariff voucher for its 4G user base in Andhra Pradesh circle. This voucher is priced at Rs.149 with a 28 day validity and offers the same benefit of true unlimited calling to any local or STD mobile or landline number without any cap like Reliance Jio has announced.
The pack also offers free incoming calls in national roaming and 300 MB 4G data just like the entry level plan announced by Mukesh Ambani's Jio. The difference here though is that it does not include the free 100 SMS which are bundled in Jio's plan nor does the plan claim to offer the free unlimited outgoing calls while in national roaming unlike Jio's offering.
It is clear that the company's intention behind the launching of this offer is to prevent the churn of its low revenue user segment and increase their stickiness. The 149 voucher was launched by Jio to target the main revenue source of incumbent operators which is still comprised of voice services and the voice only subscribers would be easy to lure with the unlimited calling at Rs.149 plan.
The only drawback with Jio is that in order to enjoy the free voice offering, a user would need to upgrade his handset to a VoLTE capable one and since this needs a 4G handset the starting range for the same currently is Rs.3000 which the low end user is not keen on spending. Mukesh Ambani knows this and has hence revealed plans of launching VoLTE capable feature phone for as low as Rs.999.
With Rcom, the launching of the same tariff plan as Jio gives it a leverage over the latter since it has an existing 3G and 2G network which can be used to deliver the voice service and would save the subscriber from having to spend on a device upgrade.
Inputs: Nawaz Electronics
