I am super excited by this news!!
3G data prices are coming down fast – Recently Airtel slashed its 3G rates by 70%. Reliance has gone one step ahead and have launched plans that are 90% lower than previous 3G market rates.
After more than 18 months since the launch of 3G services in India, it is for the first time that 3G prices are coming under “affordability” range for a common mobile user.
According to press release sent to us, the new Netconnect 3G data plans now available across all 13 Reliance 3G circles, including Metros (Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata) offer 1 GB 3G data for Rs. 250 per month and 2 GB of 3G data for Rs. 450 per month.
Reliance 3G Data plan prices
|
3G Data Usage |
Billed amounts (Rs) |
|
Up to 1000 MB |
250 |
|
Greater than 1000 MB, up to 6000 MB |
250 + 20p/MB for usage above 1000 MB |
|
Greater than 6000 MB (Speed throttled) |
1250 |
Reliance has also launched something called as the “My Best Plan”, which will really be useful for many first time 3G data users.
“My Best Plan” generates the lowest bill for any data usage by the customer. The plan is ideal for a first time user who is not sure of his usage with the key benefit is “No bill shock” by billing upto 6 GB 3G data for Rs. 1250 and unlimited usage at no cost beyond 6 GB of usage. So for e.g: if the customer uses 2.5GB, the customer gets billed for Rs 250 as rental and Rs 300 extra usage (at Rs 0.2/MB for 1.5 GB)—a total bill of Rs 550.
The above plans will be available for all mobile as well as USB Netconnect dongle users.
Like Airtel, Reliance does not have the “snacking packs” that have smaller validity and smaller quota of usage (atleast the press release does not talk about it). We tried looking at Reliance website, but looks like the new plans have not been updated on the RCom website.
Revised Airtel 3G Rates Vs Reliance Rates
Couple of days back Airtel slashed their 3G rates – If you compare Volume based pricing, Reliance offers much cheaper 3G rates. While Airtel offers 3p per 10k (which equates to Rs. 3 per MB), Reliance is offering 20 paise per MB, which much much lower than Airtel
Reliance Unlimited 3G plans
The press release also states that – “Reliance has the strongest unlimited 3G data plan portfolio starting at just Rs. 750 pm and is the only operator to offer unlimited 3G data on the prepaid platform.” Unlimited plans basically will come with certain restriction on 3G data after which speed will come down to 12b kbps.
Update:We spoke to Reliance and found that Rs. 750 is for 5GB of 3G data.
Overall, I think with this rate cut, 3G does come in the affordability range for mobile consumers. I am sure remaining mobile operators will follow suite soon!