State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd has decided to “relaunch” its 14-day “truly unlimited” 3G plan, chairman and managing director Anupam Shrivastava said today.
The plan, introduced in early December, was pulled after only one month. It offered truly unlimited 3G data usage at just Rs 498 with a validity of 14 days.
The 498 recharge was one of the only two truly unlimited schemes being offered by wireless operators in India — both from BSNL.
The second scheme, which offers data and BSNL-to-BSNL calls without any limits for one month at a price of Rs 1099 is still listed on its recharge website and available for use.
The reason for the withdrawal of the scheme is not known, but it likely has to do with higher-than-expected usage.
While many users may think twice about making a recharge of Rs 1099, they are more likely to go for a lower denomination like Rs 498, even though it gives them only half the validity.
Besides, the 498 pack was in competition with many of the operators’ other data packs, such as 10 GB for Rs 550 for one month.
BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Anupam Shrivastava said his company will launch more plans and packs on the Republic Day, which falls on Jan 26. These will include unlimited packs with a duration of one or two days as well, he said.
“We are planning to launch the same around Republic Day,” he said on Twitter when asked if the company can offer something similar to the one-day or two-day unlimited packs given by rivals like Airtel.