BSNL Increases Tariff Of These Popular Prepaid Plans Across India; Will Jio Also Raise Tariff?

These are very happening times in the telecommunication sector of India. The joint venture of Vodafone and Idea, Vi is on the verge of bankruptcy. They were asking for a floor price in the sector, but the demand was recently put down, keeping in mind the benefits of the customers. The basic reasoning behind this demand is, at current prices with very low ARPU (Average Revenue Per User), it is disastrously challenging for telecom operators to keep on functioning as a going concern.

So, if they have to survive they are left with the only option of increasing tariffs. This again stoves away their customers, putting the company back at square one of going down. But anyhow, to survive, it is the only option telecom operators like BSNL have left with.

BSNL Increases Tariff

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the government-owned telecommunication services provider, has hiked the tariffs of its prepaid plans. These hikes are in an indirect way, meaning BSNL has kept the prices constant while reducing the benefits.

BSNL has revised three special tariff vouchers (STVs) including vouchers of Rs 49, Rs 75, and Rs 94. Along with that, benefits of plan vouchers (PVs) of Rs 106, Rs 107, Rs 197, and Rs 397 have been revised. BSNL has reduced the benefits offered by these plans. 

The main reduction in the services in all of the above-mentioned plans is reduced validities. These changes have come into effect on August 1, 2021.

For example, the Rs 49 STV that used to offer users 28 days of validity is now valid for only 24 days. Similarly, the Rs 75 STV with a validity of 60 days will now be valid for 50 days only.

Overall tariffs in the sector might be on the rise

It must be noted that It is not just BSNL that is aiming for higher ARPU. Bharti Airtel, the second-largest operator in India also discontinued its Rs 49 prepaid plan throughout India. Now onwards, the same services of unlimited voice calling and data services will be available at least Rs 79 with Airtel. According to industry experts, we might experience a raise in tariffs of prepaid plans of BSNL.

Now that other players like BSNL and Airtel are increasing their prices, we might also witness increase in tariffs of Jio and Vi as well.

As the perilous situation of telcos is widely known, these changes will not be surprising for customers.