The ongoing trend in the Indian telecom industry is the combo prepaid plans. With the introduction of combo plans, telcos stopped launching data and voice-only prepaid plans. However, that's not the case with state-run telco Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). BSNL has brought a prepaid plan of Rs 98 which falls into the company's data-only prepaid plans. The government-owned PSU is offering 1.5GB data per day at just Rs 98 per month and that too for a period of 26 days from the date of recharge. No other private telecom service provider is currently providing such tariff plan in the industry. Jio also has a Rs 98 prepaid recharge which bundles voice calling, data and SMS benefits, but BSNL's plan is a data-only one.
BSNL Rs 98 Prepaid Plan: What it Offers?
This data plan by BSNL has been named as the ‘Data Tsunami’ plan and it goes head-on against the Rs 98 prepaid plan by Reliance Jio and also against the Rs 119 plan by Bharti Airtel (segmented plan). Although, there aren’t any calling or SMS benefit included in this pack, however, BSNL offers 1.5GB of data per day making it one of the most attractive plans available at this price point.
So BSNL is offering per GB of data at just Rs 1.5, which by far is the lowest by any telecom operator in the country. Reliance Jio is also offering per GB of data at Rs 1.5 with its Rs 149 plan, and it’s valid for 28 days. Also, the Rs 149 plan from Jio gives unlimited voice calls and SMS benefits too, while BSNL's plan provides data only.
BSNL Rs 98 Prepaid Plan vs Jio Rs 98 Prepaid Recharge
There's no doubt that this new STV 98 will get a lot of attention from the crowd, but does it manage to beat the best entry-level prepaid plan of Rs 98 from Jio in the industry? Reliance Jio, with its data plan of Rs 98 is offering 2GB of high-speed data, unlimited voice calls for 28 days. Jio's plan also ships with 300 SMSes for the validity period. Do make a note that BSNL is still offering 3G data benefit only and not 4G data like other private telecom operators.
Very recently, BSNL recently got back its surrendered spectrum from the government, meaning the telco might launch 4G services across its key circles very soon. As you might be aware of, BSNL is already testing 4G services in various parts of the country in Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh & Telangana circles. As of now, it's unknown when BSNL will be launching 4G tariff plans in the country. Most likely, the telco will convert all its existing tariff plans to 4G plans, and if that happens, the Rs 98 recharge will be one of the best entry-level plans.
