Amidst all the tariff plans it has been introducing in recent times, BSNL today announced two not so great moves. The first one is the telco reduced the validity of Rs 99 prepaid plan it's currently offering in various circles. And the second one comes as a shock to many as the government-owned PSU has increased the SIM replacement charges from Rs 10 to Rs 100. The Rs 99 prepaid plan from BSNL falls under the telco's voice only tariff plans list. Earlier, the Rs 99 prepaid recharge offered unlimited voice calling benefit for 26 days, but now, the validity has been decreased by two days to 24 days. The telco already has a prepaid plan of Rs 319 which offers unlimited voice calling benefit for 90 days from the date of recharge, but BSNL did not make any changes to it.
BSNL Increases SIM Replacement Charges by 10 Times
One of the shocking changes made by BSNL in recent times should be this one. According to the available information, BSNL will now charge Rs 100 for SIM replacement. The price is the same for both prepaid and postpaid customers. This change is effective from January 21, 2019. "It is hereby conveyed that the SIM replacement cost is rationalised to Rs.100 under GSM Prepaid and Postpaid mobile services w.e.f 21.01.2019," said BSNL in a press statement.
To recall, BSNL used to charge Rs 10 for SIM replacement to both the prepaid and postpaid customers, but it has now been increased by ten times. In other news, the telco is also offering a 4G SIM card for Rs 19 in various circles, but it's unknown whether the 4G SIM card value is also increased to Rs 100 or not.
BSNL Reduces Validity of Rs 99 Voice Only Plan
Another change made by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is the reduction of Rs 99 prepaid plan's validity. The Rs 99 plan offers unlimited voice calling to BSNL prepaid subscribers. Earlier, the unlimited calling benefit was valid for 26 days, however, it has now been reduced to 24 days. As noted, BSNL introduced the Rs 99 prepaid plan alongside the Rs 319 plan, which provides unlimited voice calling benefit for 90 days. The telco did not reduce the validity of Rs 319 plan. Do make a note that the Rs 99 and Rs 319 prepaid plans are available at other denominations in some circles, but the benefits are the same.
Alongside the Rs 99 prepaid plan, the telco also revised STVs of Rs 29 and Rs 39. The Rs 29 prepaid STV, which offered benefits of unlimited voice calling, 1GB of data, 300 SMSes and free PRBT tone for seven days now ships without the free PRBT benefit. The STV 39 offers similar benefits for ten days and it also now lacks PRBT benefit. PRBT refers to the personalised ring back tone.
