The state-owned telecom operator MTNL has launched ultra-fast fibre-optic broadband plans at the same price as normal DSL broadband in Delhi.
For those who book before May 7, the prices of MTNL’s fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband are about 50-70% cheaper than similar ultra-high-speed plans offered by Airtel and BSNL.
For example, MTNL is offering a 10-Mbps fibre optic connection at Rs 990 per month, for 40 GB. After 40 GB of usage, the connection speed is lowered to 0.5 Mbps till the end of the bill-cycle, but no extra charges are levied.
In comparison, Airtel offers an 8-Mbps connection (slower than MTNL’s) at about Rs 3,000 per month for 50 GB. Users are charged extra if they go over the 50 GB limit.
Similarly, BSNL offers a fibre connection at about Rs 3,000 per month — but both the speed and the data limit are lower. The speed for BSNL’s scheme is only 4 Mbps, despite being on fibre optic, and the limit is only 30 GB per month.
BSNL also has a high-speed DSL scheme that costs Rs 2,800 per month for an 8 Mbps connection with a limit of 60 GB.
Thus, BSNL and Airtel high-speed broadband prices (including fibre and high-speed DSL) are about three times what MTNL is offering under its promotional tariff scheme to subscribers.
Even at higher usage of 80 to 100 GB per month, MTNL’s fibre to the home offerings are considerably cheaper than those offered by competitors.
For example, Airtel’s 16-Mbps 100 GB connection costs about Rs 5,000 per month in Delhi. BSNL’s offering is even costlier — for the same speed and same data, the government-owned company charges Rs 7,000 per month.
In comparison, under MTNL’s fibre optic plan, you can get a 10-Mbps 80 GB connection for just about Rs 2,000 per month. Unlike the other two, MTNL will not charge extra even if you go over the 80 GB cap. The speed of the connection will reduce from 10 Mbps to 1 Mbps.
MTNL also offers what has to be the cheapest ultra-high-speed broadband internet plan in India — Rs 740 per month for 10 GB of 10 Mbps connection.
It is not clear how long the tariffs will hold and in which areas of Delhi, MTNL’s fibre optic (FTTH) plans are available.
