BSNL is doubling down its effort in the data tariff war by introducing new plans or revising its old plans to make them comparable with Reliance Jio’s. BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) had also introduced a prepaid plan of Rs 349 which is valid across all circles. The plan racks right up against Reliance Jio’s Rs 349 prepaid plan. Under this plan, BSNL is bundling unlimited calling and 1GB data per day for a validity period of 54 days. Whereas, Reliance Jio is bundling unlimited calling, 1.5GB data and 100 SMS per day for 70 days for the exact same price point.
But the primary letdown for BSNL is the lack of 4G operations. BSNL is still providing its users 3G services, and in some places, the telco is providing 2G services only. While other telcos are providing 4G services on their network. Also, the voice calls are unlimited on BSNL network, while roaming calls are also free with the Rs 349 plan, but users will be charged at the standard rates while making voice calls to the numbers in Mumbai and Delhi circles.
Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular also have a similar Rs 349 plan, which recently received a revision. Airtel is providing the user unlimited voice calls without any FUP, 100 SMS per day and a whopping 3GB of data per day with its Rs 349 plan. On the other hand, Idea Cellular is giving its users unlimited voice calls with a cap of 250 minutes per day and 1000 minutes per week, 100 SMS per day and the same 3GB of data per day benefit.
On the whole, Idea and Airtel are offering 84GB of data with their Rs 349 tariff plans, but BSNL is providing 54GB of data. However, on the brighter side, BSNL's plan is valid for 54 days as compared to 28 days. Reliance Jio is giving a whopping 105GB of data with its Rs 349 plan, and it's also offering better validity of 70 days. Even though BSNL lacks 4G services, it' still offering some of the best tariff plans amongst the existing telecom operators in India.
