BSNL has revised the SIM replacement cost for both prepaid and postpaid users to Rs 50. Earlier this year in August, BSNL introduced a promotional offer to reduce the SIM replacement cost to Rs 50 for a period of 90 days. However, it seems like the telco has reduced the price permanently now. According to the latest information available, BSNL will now charge just Rs 50 from the users for replacing the SIM card- be it prepaid or postpaid. The new change is already effective across all the telecom circles where BSNL is operating right now. For the unaware, in 2018, BSNL hiked the SIM replacement charges by 100% to Rs 100 from the existing Rs 10 charges. BSNL has been placing with these SIM replacement charges for a while now, and we're expecting the new Rs 50 charges will stay at least for another couple of years.
BSNL Introduces New SIM Replacement Charges for Prepaid and Postpaid Users
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited or BSNL is operating in 20 telecom circles right now, but the soon-to-be-happening merger with MTNL will give access to the telco in all the 22 telecom circles including Mumbai and Delhi. Before the introduction of new SIM replacement charges, BSNL customers used to pay Rs 100 for one-time SIM replacement. But now, they can pay Rs 50 to avail a new BSNL SIM card.
That said, SIM replacement means a BSNL prepaid or postpaid customer will get the same mobile number. Usually, SIM cardholders look a replacement whenever the existing SIM gets corrupted or for any other reason. SIM cards get corrupted every now and then, and the only way to use telecom services is by getting a new SIM card. BSNL users can head over to any of the nearby stores to get their SIM card replaced."It is hereby conveyed that the SIM replacement cost is regularised as Rs 50 under GSM Prepaid and Postpaid mobile services," said BSNL.
Reliance Jio does not charge anything from the customers for replacing the SIM card, while Airtel and Vodafone Idea charge less than Rs 30 for the same. Even for MNP customers, Reliance Jio offers the SIM card for free without any charges, and it's a good thing to see.
BSNL and MTNL Employees to Get VRS Option Soon
In other news, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has urged both BSNL and MTNL to implement the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) with immediate effect. As part of the revival package from the government, BSNL employees will get VRS option. The telecom minister has asked both the telcos to take necessary steps required to monetise assets in a timebound manner. BSNL and MTNL will get 4G spectrum by the end of this year, and the merger of both telcos will also happen very soon.
The government is going after both BSNL and MTNL right now as the revival package is provided to become competitive in the industry, so the necessary actions like VRS will have to be taken immediately. For the unknown, last month, the government has approved Rs 69,000 crore revival package for MTNL and BSNL. It will be interesting to see how this revival package will turn out for BSNL as the telco is eager to make a mark in the industry.
