Reliance communications the largest Pan India operator has been successful in gaining a large share of the Data market. With its innovative and value for money offerings, it is popular with the price sensitive market. zero plan is a unique offering by Rcom where it gives true unlimited Voice, Text and Data usage including roaming to subscribers. This offer was initially limited only to new handset purchases and CDMA subscribers. Reliance had briefly launched the Zero plan for GSM last year and later discontinued it. Now it has relaunched it for both new and existing customers in the form of postpaid annual advance rental plan. The 12-month advance rental plan coss Rs. 10,425 while 24-month advance rental plan costs Rs. 20,850 inclusive of service tax and educational cess.
In 3G licensed circles the plan will give unlimited 3G data without FUP while in 2G circles it will give unlimited 2G data. When 3G data network is not available it will latch on to 2G data network. The advanced rental amount once paid is non-refundable. The plan is meant for non-commercial usage and will be deactivated if commercial usage is identified. After the duration of the advanced rental plan is over the subscriber will be shifted to Rs.1499/month plan. Free SMS usage is capped at 100 SMS per day after which it will be charged at the standard rate of Re.1 for local and Rs.1.5 for STD SMS. New numbers will be activated with zero plan in 7 days and existing users in 3 days.
Reliance is trying to lock in its existing premium paying customers to its network for long term through the advanced rental plan so as to prevent them from porting out to other operators especially Jio after its commercial launch. It is doubtful though as to how many people will actually pay such a hefty sum upfront for a long duration plan. But no other operator is currently offering true unlimited 3G data without FUP, that is the main draw for the zero plan. Let us know your views and opinions through your comments below.
Inputs: Avinav Setia
