Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) has introduced a new prepaid STV of Rs 98 to take on Jio's Rs 98 prepaid plan. The government-owned telco is offering similar benefits as the Mukesh Ambani-owned Jio. Notably, Bharti Airtel is also offering a Rs 99 prepaid plan for select users, which also comes with benefits same as the Rs 98 plan from MTNL. MTNL is operating in two telecom circles- Mumbai and Delhi, while the other 20 circles are being handled by BSNL. The all-new MTNL STV 98 offers unlimited voice calls, 2GB of data and 100 SMS for the entire validity period. The plan provides benefits for 28 days from the date of recharge. And it's already effective in Mumbai and Delhi circles from September 5, 2018.
MTNL Prepaid STV 98: Benefits and Validity Period
In recent times, MTNL has revised its entire prepaid tariff portfolio, but the company didn't have a single plan under Rs 100. The all-new STV 98 fills up this gap though. Aforesaid, the plan offers unlimited voice calls without any FUP limit, 2GB of data and 100 SMS for the validity period of 28 days. Talking more about the benefits, the free calling, SMS will be available in the home network and MTNL Mumbai network. During roaming other than MTNL Mumbai, standard roaming rates will be applicable. This STV will also be available via online/e-recharge & SMS recharge. Do make a note that the data benefit is either 2G or 3G as MTNL is yet to launch 4G services in the country.
MTNL Prepaid STV 98: How it Compares to Jio's Rs 98 Prepaid Plan
Reliance Jio is offering a prepaid plan of Rs 98 aimed at basic users. The Rs 98 plan from Jio gives unlimited voice calls to any network in the country, 300 SMS and 2GB of 4G data. In other ways also, Jio is ahead of MTNL. For instance, on Jio's network, the voice calls are valid across the country (all 22 telecom circles) and the data benefit is 4G, which provides far better speeds than a 3G network.
MTNL is Yet to Launch 4G Services in the Country
Thanks to the cutthroat competition in the Indian telecom industry, MTNL has become a loss-making entity for the government. The company is currently surrounded by an enormous amount of debt, as a result, the government is not providing MTNL necessary spectrum to launch 4G services in the country.
Recently, the Department of Telecom has granted permission to BSNL for acquiring 4G airwaves, which will help the telco to roll out high-speed 4G services in the country across its 20 telecom circles. It will be interesting to see whether the DoT grants the same permission to MTNL as well. For now, the DoT is silent on this regards as MTNL has been seeking government's nod for launching 4G services in Mumbai and Delhi.
