Airtel, India’s largest telecom operator with over 232 million subscribers have announced new data benefits for their mobile internet users. New data deals and offers include Data Cashback, Family Data Share, Smartphone Surprises and other benefits that will be offered to customers free of cost.
Back in April of this year, Airtel had launched much controversial and anti-net neutrality feature called Airtel Zero. Given the hue and cry around it, Airtel Zero is no where to be seen and Airtel has not announced anything since.
Let us look at the plans to see if they are exciting for users!
Airtel Data Cashback Offer
Airtel data cashback offer allows users to get 50 percent extra data on their their usage. Any mobile internet (2G/3G/4G) usage that happens between 12.00am to 6.00am, the users will get 50 percent cashback. Customers can avail the offer by just sending the SMS <NIGHT> to <121> or by giving a missed call to <55555> or logging on to myAirtel app to opt in for the offer. While Airtel prepaid mobile customers can avail this starting today, the offer will be extended to postpaid customers soon.
Our View: The plan is ridiculous to say the least. Basically you need to stay up late or get up early in the morning to use mobile internet and then you will get 50 percent cash back. Who needs it? This is purely a marketing gimmick and nothing more. Only people who work in night shifts may benefit from it.
Family Data Share
With Family Data Share plan Airtel prepaid mobile customers on 3G/4G can share their mobile data with family members. Any Airtel user can become a primary member of the family, and add 4 others on his mobile data and all of them can consume data from it. Airtel postpaid users already have similar offering called Airtel myPlan Family.
Our View: Family plans have been around for ages and they are definitely helpful especially if you have a family where each one uses mobile internet on their smartphones. Having said that, it is nothing new – most other operators offer some variation of it.
Smartphone Surprise offer
Apart from Data Cashback and Family Data share, Airtel has launched something called as Smartphone Surprise offer. With this, customers who upgrade their mobile device on Airtel prepaid will be entitled to get exciting gifts ranging from double data benefits, free data for up to a year, tablets, Bluetooth speakers, headsets, etc. This offer can be availed by both existing and new customers. All prepaid customers buying a smartphone from online portal Snapdeal can also enjoy an additional onetime offer of Rs. 750/- off on the device.
Our View: Meh…
In a press release sent to us, Airtel also said that all Airtel customers can now download unlimited songs for free on Wynk Music and also enjoy 5 free movies on Wynk Movies. However, keep in mind that data charges will apply!