Vi’s voice and SMS only pack, Jio’s new plans

Recently, Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea (Vi) have launched their new voice and SMS-only prepaid plans. These telecom companies had to follow guidelines issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in December to offer affordable plans specifically for “elderly persons and people living in rural areas”. . However, these new plans are relatively expensive and these companies have replaced many existing recharge plans with more expensive options. Now these new voice and SMS-only plans will have to undergo TRAI’s test.

These plans will pass the test of TRAI

TRAI has taken note of Jio’s ₹458 and ₹1,958 plans, Airtel’s ₹499 and ₹1,959 recharge packs, and Vi’s ₹1,460 pack. TRAI said in a statement, “It has come to our notice that some companies have launched voice and SMS only packs, details of which will be reported to TRAI within seven working days of launch. These vouchers will be examined by TRAI under the existing regulatory provisions.”

Additional benefits in Airtel plans

Airtel has introduced a ₹499 plan with unlimited voice calls and 900 SMS with a validity of 84 days, while the ₹1,959 plan offers unlimited voice calls and 3,600 SMS with a validity of 365 days. Both plans also have additional benefits under Airtel Rewards, such as three months of Apollo 24/7 Circle membership and free Hellotune service.

Additionally, if you need 4G/5G data, Airtel has a recharge pack of ₹548 available which will provide 7GB data. For recharge with validity of 365 days, Airtel prepaid users will have to pay ₹2,249.

Jio’s new plans

Reliance Jio has also launched a ₹458 plan on a similar pattern, which offers unlimited voice calls and 1,000 SMS with a validity of 84 days. Earlier, 6GB 4G/5G data was also available at this price, but now Jio has removed the data bundle. Additionally, the ₹1,958 plan bundles 1,000 SMS and 24GB data with a validity of 365 days.

Vi’s voice and SMS only pack

Vodafone Idea (Vi) currently has a voice and SMS only pack priced at ₹1,460 with a validity of 270 days.

Under TRAI guidelines

TRAI guidelines issued in December had said, “Separate special tariff vouchers (STVs) should be introduced for voice and SMS, so that consumers have the option to pay only for the services they require.” There is a need, and especially to benefit the elderly and people living in rural areas.” However, if we look at the per day cost of these packs, they are affordable (Jio’s ₹458 plan works out to be Rs 5.4 per day), but a user may find it difficult to recharge small amounts.

Higher charges for voice, data and SMS

Although telecom companies want to lock in the user base for a long time through these packs, the overall structuring will force prepaid users to pay more up front for their next recharge, especially for those users who use data usage along with voice and SMS. Recharge the pack also.

future expectations

It is expected that Airtel, Jio and Vi will formally share these new voice and SMS recharge plans with TRAI in the coming days.