In a stock exchange filing, Airtel stated that it is removing the data usage cap from all existing plans. This comes just a few days after India’s largest telecom operator, Reliance Jio, unveiled a new set of postpaid family and individual plans that include unlimited 5G data, WiFi calling, OTT subscription benefits, and international roaming.
Bharti Airtel today launched an unlimited data plan for its fifth-generation, or 5G, telecom service users, intensifying competition with Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio.
In an exchange filing, the telecom operator stated that it is removing the data usage cap from all existing plans.
“All postpaid and prepaid customers with data plans of Rs. 239 and above will be able to take advantage of the offer,” Airtel said.
This comes just days after Reliance Jio, India’s largest telecom operator, unveiled a new set of postpaid family and individual plans that include unlimited 5G data, WiFi calling, OTT subscription benefits, and international roaming.
Jio has launched new post-paid plans aimed at attracting premium customers from Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, as well as pushing its existing customers.
Analysts predicted earlier this week that Jio’s new plans would likely prompt Jio’s competitors to respond with their plans, increasing competitive intensity in the higher revenue-generating segment and delaying any industry-wide tariff hikes.
Airtel stated that it is working to provide nationwide coverage and that it is on track to cover every town and key rural area with 5G services by the end of March 2024.
Earlier today, ET reported that Airtel had launched a multi-media campaign to promote Airtel 5G Plus, the brand under which it offers 5G services. This is the first major marketing campaign for 5G services by a telco since Airtel and Reliance Jio began rollout in October 2022.
While Vodafone does not yet offer 5G services, India’s top two telcos, Jio and Airtel, are competing to attract as many customers as possible with their latest offerings.
According to Crisil, 5G adoption in India will be much slower than 4G.
According to Crisil Ratings, India’s 5G user base will grow to 300 million in the next two years, up from 20-25 million now, owing largely to technology-neutral tariffs offered by Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio.
