At a time when the top three telecom operators have cut down data tariffs by 67% to counter Jio commercial launch, smaller operators like Aircel have also started responding in the current data war among telcos by increasing data limits by up to 33% and longer validities on existing packs in metro circles like Kolkata.
In Kolkata circle where the Maxis owned firm has nearly 40 million subscribers, it was charging data tariffs similar to Vodafone and Airtel. The company has also withdrawn customised special offer in order to increase data revenue from the circle. But this time around when subscribers have started to migrate to Jio's unlimited data benefits, the company has followed in the wake of Airtel and Vodafone to cut down data tariff by offering more data in existing packs to its customers.
For example, the company will now offer 250MB extra data on existing 1 GB 3G data pack which costs Rs 198. They have also hiked benefits in mid-range and high range packs, Rs 399 pack which used to offer 3 GB 3G data, now offers 1GB extra, an increase of 33%. Also, those who top up with high value data denominations like Rs 1397 will now get 18 GB data with 60 days validity as opposed to 15 GB data with 30 days validity in the past. For more details about the data tariff changes, do check the chart embedded below.
| Price | Existing Benefits | New Benefits | Changes |
| Rs 16 | 100 MB 2G data for 3 days | 125 MB 2G data for 3 days | 25% extra data |
| Rs 23 | 100 MB 3G for 3 days | 110 MB 3G for 3 days | 10% extra data |
| Rs 39 | 150 MB 3G for 5 days | 200 MB 3G for 5 days | 33% extra data |
| Rs 98 | 500 MB 2G for 14 days | 550 MB 2G for 14 days | 10% extra data |
| Rs 198 | 1 GB 3G data for 28 days | 1.25 GB 3G data for 28 days | 25% extra data |
| Rs 399 | 3 GB 3G data for 28 days | 4 GB 3G data for 28 days | 33% extra data |
| Rs 697 | 6 GB 3G data for 28 days | 8 GB 3G data for 28 days | 33% extra data |
| Rs 997 | 10 GB 3G data for 28 days | 12.5 GB 3G data for 28 days | 25% extra data |
| Rs 1397 | 15 GB 3G data for 28 days | 18 GB 3G data for 60 days | 20% extra data and double validity |
| #Only for Kolkata metro circle | |||
Even though the company is in merger talks with Reliance Communications which would offer Aircel customers 4G services through Jio 4G and Reliance 4G network, the latest move by the company indicates that they don't want to lose market share to competitors anytime soon. Also, we believe Aircel will come up with data tariff revision in other circles as well.
If you're an Aircel subscriber, do let us know your views on this tariff revision and experience with Aircel 3G network through your comments.
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