In a surprising move, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has trimmed the validity of eight of its widely used prepaid recharge plans, catching customers off guard. The revision, introduced without major public notice, effectively raises the cost per day of service, compelling subscribers to recharge earlier than before.
The state-owned telecom operator’s latest adjustment follows mounting financial pressures and an effort to streamline plans in a competitive market dominated by Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea.
Key Plans and Revisions
Rs 1,499 Plan:
- Validity: Reduced from 336 days to 300 days (36-day cut)
- Data: Increased from 24GB to 32GB (total)
- Benefits: Unlimited calling and national roaming
Rs 997 Plan:
- Validity: Cut by 10 days (from 160 to 150 days)
- Benefits: 2GB/day data, 100 SMS/day, speed drops to 40Kbps post-limit
Rs 897 Plan:
- Validity: Reduced by 15 days (from 180 to 165 days)
- Data: Reduced from 90GB to 24GB total
- Benefits: Unlimited calling, 100 SMS/day
Rs 599 Plan:
- Validity: Reduced by 14 days (from 84 to 70 days)
- Benefits: 3GB/day data, unlimited calls, 100 SMS/day
Rs 439 Plan:
- Validity: Reduced by 10 days (from 90 to 80 days)
- Benefits: Unlimited calls, 300 SMS total
Rs 319 Plan:
- Validity: Reduced by 5 days (from 65 to 60 days)
- Benefits: 10GB total data, 300 SMS
Rs 197 Plan:
- Validity: Reduced by 6 days (from 54 to 48 days)
- Benefits: 4GB total data, 100 SMS
Impact on Users
For consumers, especially those in rural areas where BSNL retains a strong base, the revisions mean higher recurring expenses. By shortening validity, BSNL has effectively raised the per-day cost of service even without explicitly hiking plan prices.
While a few data allowances have increased marginally, plans like the Rs 897 voucher saw drastic cuts, significantly reducing overall value.
