Following Bharti Airtel to this positive step, Vodafone Idea has also announced that it would be shipping free unlimited calling to its customers. A few weeks back, the most shocking thing that the subscribers were met within the telecom industry was the announcement of the data tariff hike. However, that time the customers did not know that the data tariff hike would also entail a slight change to their plans as well. As a result, when the data prices were increased, the calling to other networks was also capped as well. This meant that the subscribers we limited to calling a certain number of minutes in a given time to other networks. For example, in the case of 28 days validity plans, the subscribers were getting 1000 minutes of off-net calling something which the subscribers might have run out of in-between their validity period, thus forcing them to get a talk time recharge. But, with this new announcement, the subscribers can be sure that they will continue to enjoy free unlimited voice calls.
Vodafone Idea Revokes Calling Cap
While the news of the data tariff hike spread to nooks and corners of the country, what the people found objectionable was the fact that not only were the prices of their recharges being increased, but one of the most popular features of the plans, unlimited calling, was being severely capped in these new plans. In the case of 28 days, this limit was 1,000 minutes, whereas, in the case of 84 days plans, this limit was set at 3,000 minutes. For the monthly prepaid plans, the subscribers would have run out of their calling limit in 16 days if they were making an hour of voice calls in a day. However, Vodafone Idea to Vodafone Idea voice calls remained unlimited and free in these recharge plans.
But, now with the new move again the telecom operators have pleased the subscribers as the customers will continue to enjoy free unlimited calling on their prepaid plans, something that remains one of the attractive parts of these plans. Vodafone Idea has noted in its social media post, “Free Still Means Free, Enjoy free calls to other networks with our truly unlimited plans.”
Reliance Jio Charging IUC from Customers
To recall, the Mukesh Ambani led telecom operator, Reliance Jio had started charging 6 paise per minute from its subscribers back in October as IUC on all calls to other networks. This move was not liked by the subscribers as well, as now the customers of the most popular telco will have to recharge their number with a talk time recharge to make calls to other networks. Similarly, the new prepaid plans from other telcos were charging the subscribers the same amount to make calls to other networks, just after a FUP limit.
Prices Go Up by 40% for Prepaid Plans
In the latest data tariff hike, the telecom operators have hiked the prices of their data prepaid plans by as much as 40%. But, along with this, they had capped the calling benefit as well thus delivering a two-way blow to the customers. But, now with the calling limit removed, the subscribers can be relieved and continue to enjoy these services without any fear of any kind of limit. While the Vodafone Idea and the Bharti Airtel new prepaid recharge plans went live on December 3, the Reliance Jio new prepaid plans with hiked prices were available on December 6. It is also worth noting that while the prepaid plans of Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel were capped in calling, the postpaid plans remained as it is in the respective portfolios.
