Jio-Airtel Shock: Cheapest ₹249 Mobile Data Plan Discontinued, Base Plans Now More Expensive
The Indian telecom sector has once again witnessed a major price hike. Both Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have silently discontinued their most affordable ₹249 recharge packs, leaving millions of customers with no choice but to spend more for basic data and calling needs. With this move, the minimum recharge cost for 28 days has increased to ₹279–₹299, depending on the operator.
This change comes as a surprise to many subscribers who were relying on the ₹249 pack as the most budget-friendly option for everyday usage. The move marks yet another instance of telecom giants pushing up tariffs to increase revenue, but at the same time, it adds an extra burden on customers’ monthly expenses.
Jio’s ₹249 Pack Discontinued: New Minimum Recharge ₹299
Until recently, Reliance Jio’s ₹249 recharge plan was the go-to option for millions of prepaid users. It included:
1 GB data per day (28 GB total)
Unlimited voice calls across all networks
100 SMS per day
Validity of 28 days
This pack offered a balance of affordability and utility, making it one of Jio’s most popular plans. However, Jio has now discontinued this option.
Jio’s New Base Plan: ₹299
With the ₹249 plan gone, the new entry-level plan for 28 days starts at ₹299. The revised pack includes:
1.5 GB data per day (42 GB total)
Unlimited calls
100 SMS per day
Validity: 28 days
While the overall data allowance has increased, the price hike of ₹50 extra per month is a noticeable change for customers who preferred the cheaper ₹249 option.
Airtel’s ₹249 Pack Axed: Customers Must Pay More
Airtel has also joined the bandwagon by discontinuing its ₹249 plan, which used to be available with a slightly shorter validity of 24 days. The benefits of the old ₹249 Airtel plan included:
1 GB daily data
Unlimited calls
100 SMS per day
Validity of 24 days
Now, Airtel customers must spend at least ₹279 or ₹299 for base plans, depending on their choice of data benefits.
Airtel’s New Base Plans
₹279 Plan (28 days)
1 GB data per day
Unlimited calling
100 SMS per day
Free subscriptions to Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, and Zee5
Validity: 28 days
₹299 Plan (28 days)
1.5 GB data per day (42 GB total)
Unlimited calls
100 SMS per day
OTT bundle offers (varies by region)
Validity: 28 days
Clearly, Airtel has tried to make its packs more attractive with OTT subscriptions, but for cost-conscious users, the loss of the ₹249 recharge plan means a direct increase in their monthly telecom bill.
Jio vs Airtel: Price Comparison After ₹249 Plan Removal
| Feature/Plan | Jio ₹299 Plan | Airtel ₹279 Plan | Airtel ₹299 Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Data | 1.5 GB | 1 GB | 1.5 GB |
| Total Data | 42 GB | 28 GB | 42 GB |
| Voice Calls | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| SMS | 100/day | 100/day | 100/day |
| OTT Benefits | None (varies by offer) | Netflix, Hotstar, Zee5 | OTT bundle offers |
| Validity | 28 days | 28 days | 28 days |
| Minimum Price | ₹299 | ₹279 | ₹299 |
From the above comparison, it is clear that Jio customers must now pay ₹299 minimum, while Airtel customers can still recharge at ₹279 for 28 days. However, both operators have effectively eliminated the budget-friendly ₹249 category.
Impact on Customers: Telecom Bills Getting Costlier
The removal of the ₹249 plan has created financial stress for many subscribers, especially those who relied on budget packs for basic internet and calling needs. With this price revision:
Monthly telecom cost rises by ₹50–₹60 per user.
Families with multiple prepaid users will see a significant increase in household telecom expenses.
Students and low-income users, who were the biggest beneficiaries of the ₹249 pack, are the most affected.
Over the last few years, telecom operators have slowly but steadily increased base tariffs, and industry experts believe this trend will continue as companies look to improve their Average Revenue Per User (ARPU).
Why Did Jio and Airtel Increase Prices?
The decision to discontinue the ₹249 plans and shift users toward higher packs is driven by several factors:
Rising Operational Costs – Expanding 4G and 5G infrastructure requires heavy investment.
Push for Higher ARPU – Both Jio and Airtel are aiming to increase average revenue per user to strengthen profitability.
Market Consolidation – With only three major players left (Jio, Airtel, and Vi), competitive pressure is lower than before.
Focus on 5G Rollout – Telecom operators are channeling massive funds into rolling out 5G services nationwide, necessitating tariff hikes.
What Options Do Customers Have Now?
While the loss of the ₹249 plan is a blow, customers still have a few choices to manage their telecom expenses:
Opt for ₹279 Airtel Plan if OTT benefits are valuable.
Choose ₹299 Jio or Airtel Plan for higher data usage.
Consider Long-Term Plans – Jio and Airtel both offer 84-day and annual packs that may be more economical in the long run.
Look at Data Add-ons – For light users, minimal base packs with occasional data add-ons may be cheaper than daily high-data plans.
Future of Telecom Tariffs in India
Industry analysts suggest that this price hike is not the last. Both Jio and Airtel are expected to raise tariffs further in the coming quarters, especially as 5G adoption increases. The end of ultra-cheap plans signals a shift toward a more sustainable pricing model for telecom companies, but it will also mean that customers must brace for higher bills in the future.
Final Takeaway
With the ₹249 recharge plans discontinued, Jio and Airtel customers must now pay a minimum of ₹279–₹299 for 28-day base packs. While the new plans offer slightly better data and additional OTT benefits, the move undeniably increases the financial burden on consumers.
As the telecom sector pushes for profitability and 5G expansion, subscribers will need to adapt to higher tariffs, making budget-friendly telecom options a thing of the past.
