Reliance Jio, India’s news telecom operator, today announced a new plan under which users can enjoy unlimited voice calls and 4G night data for just Rs 499, making it the cheapest telecom offering in the country.
At present, no other telecom operator offers unlimited, full-speed 4G.
In addition, users also get 4 GB of day-time 4G data as well, as part of the Rs 499 pack.
The plan is likely to create major disruption in India’s telecom market, where users typically spend about Rs 200 to make about 350 minutes of calls, and another Rs 250 for 1 GB of data.
Under this new tariff plan, one can get unlimited high-speed downloading at night and voice calls throughout the day for Rs 499.
In fact, for Rs 500, you get only 4 GB of 4G data on other networks (except BSNL, which gives 10 GB), and Jio is offering free unlimited calling and night data usage as extras.
UNLIMITED VOICE CALLS AT 149
For those who don’t want to spend so much, or who do not need data at all, Jio also unveiled an entry-level plan of Rs 149 per month.
This plan is targeted at those who use their phones only or primarily for voice calls and do not have big data needs.
Under this plan, the user gets 300 MB of data per month plus unlimited voice calls. 300 MB will be enough to do some amount of WhatsApp messaging and the occasional app downloads.
HEAVY DAYTIME USERS DISAPPOINTED
Jio also unveiled other plans for those who require more data.
However, disappointingly, the plans are not exactly as affordable as expected if the usage is mainly during day time. (All plans except 149 come with unlimited night LTE downloads).
A typical heavy data user would be willing to spend Rs 1,500-2,500 in return for 50-100 GB per month of data.
However, Jio’s new plans offer only 20 GB of day-time data for Rs 1,499 and 35 GB for Rs 2,499.
This implies a tariff of Rs 75 per GB in case of the Rs 1,500 plan and Rs 71.43 per GB for the Rs 2,500 plan.
Though these plans offer unlimited voice calls and night data, many users — especially small businesses — may not have much use for these extra features, and may prefer to go with Airtel’s Rs 51 per GB offer instead.