Tag: Airtel

  • Airtel, Jio, and Vi Ordered to Launch Voice-Only Recharge Plans Under New TRAI Rules

    Airtel, Jio, and Vi Ordered to Launch Voice-Only Recharge Plans Under New TRAI Rules

    TRAI Tightens Recharge Plan Requirements

    The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has directed Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea to broaden their voice- and SMS-only recharge offerings. The new rules require telecom operators to provide calling- and messaging-only plans across shorter validity periods, giving customers who do not need mobile data more flexible options.

    The amended regulations take effect on October 21, 2026, after being officially notified on September 21. Under the framework, operators must offer voice-and-SMS-only options for validity periods of 30 days or less wherever comparable combined voice, SMS, and data plans exist.

    What Telecom Companies Must Do

    • Offer voice-and-SMS-only Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs) for validity periods of up to 30 days.
    • Provide a monthly plan that renews on the same date each month, or on the last day of the month when that date does not exist.
    • Introduce at least one longer-validity voice-and-SMS-only plan that matches existing long-duration data-inclusive offerings.

    Why TRAI Is Expanding Voice-Only Plans

    TRAI had earlier asked operators to offer at least one voice-and-SMS-only STV, but these plans were mostly concentrated around longer validity periods. That left limited choices for consumers who rely on basic phones, use Wi-Fi for data, keep a secondary SIM, or simply prefer not to pay for mobile internet.

    The regulator argues that these users should be able to pay only for the services they actually use. The consultation for the latest amendment drew 1,132 responses from telecom operators, industry bodies, consumer groups, and other stakeholders, followed by an Open House Discussion on June 15, 2026.

    Operator Concerns and Pricing Outlook

    Major telecom providers opposed the expanded mandate during consultations. Reliance Jio argued that existing tariff options were already sufficient and questioned the need for separate plans for every validity period.

    TRAI has not yet announced specific pricing for the new voice- and SMS-only plans. Instead, it has provided guidance for operators to adjust tariffs to reflect the removal of data, leaving room for market-driven pricing.

  • TRAI Investigates Airtel and Jio Complaints Over Vodafone Idea’s Porting Incentives

    TRAI Investigates Airtel and Jio Complaints Over Vodafone Idea’s Porting Incentives

    The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has announced it will review formal complaints filed by Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio against Vodafone Idea. The complaints allege that Vodafone Idea offered special tariff benefits to customers who port their mobile numbers from rival networks, a practice the complainants argue violates regulatory guidelines.

    TRAI Chairman AK Lahoti confirmed on September 14 that the regulator received representations from the telecom operators and will examine the matter before deciding on further action. The regulator has not yet made any finding of wrongdoing against Vodafone Idea.

    What Airtel and Jio Have Alleged

    The core of the dispute centers on tariff benefits that were allegedly promoted exclusively for customers moving their numbers from Airtel or Jio to Vodafone Idea. Airtel and Jio contend that such offers incentivize switching and are not permitted under current rules. One complaint, sent to TRAI on September 2, explicitly asked the regulator to direct Vodafone Idea to cease promotional communications tied to these offers and to submit a compliance report confirming that all related advertisements, campaigns, and sales practices have been withdrawn.

    The issue revolves around Mobile Number Portability (MNP), which allows users to change operators while keeping their existing numbers, making it easier for operators to target customers already on a rival network. TRAI has previously taken a stance against tariff benefits offered exclusively to porting-in customers, stating in an earlier order that such pricing could amount to discriminatory tariff treatment under Clause 10 of the Telecommunication Tariff Order, 1999.

    Vodafone Idea Responds

    Vodafone Idea has denied any violation of rules. A company spokesperson said, “The company believes in fair competition and the strength of its products and the value delivered to customers, and that it conducts its business in compliance with the law.”

    TRAI did not specify what action it may take next. Lahoti also did not indicate whether the regulator would seek additional information from Vodafone Idea or convene discussions with the three operators. The matter remains at the complaint and review stage, with no final determination made.

  • Apple Holds iPhone 18 Pro Discounts as Jio, Airtel, and Vi Stay Silent on Pre-Order Offers

    Apple Holds iPhone 18 Pro Discounts as Jio, Airtel, and Vi Stay Silent on Pre-Order Offers

    iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max pre-orders are now live in India, but customers hoping for carrier deals from Jio, Airtel, or Vodafone Idea (Vi) will be disappointed — at least for now. None of the three telecom operators have listed any offers for Apple’s latest flagship models on their websites as of September 13, leaving Apple’s own discounts as the primary savings option.

    When checking the homepages of Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vi, there were no promotions or banners related to the iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max. Jio’s homepage highlighted its Rs. 3,599 annual plan, a Rs. 299 mobile plan, and JioHome services. Airtel promoted Wi-Fi, postpaid, prepaid, DTH, banking, and business services, while Vi’s homepage similarly showed no iPhone-related deals.

    In contrast, Apple is offering up to Rs. 7,000 instant cashback on purchases made with eligible American Express, Axis Bank, or ICICI Bank cards, along with up to six months of No Cost EMI. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at Rs. 1,64,900, and the Pro Max starts at Rs. 1,79,900.

    This silence from Indian carriers stands in stark contrast to the U.S. market, where AT&T and Verizon are already promoting trade-in deals and credits for the new iPhones. However, Jio, Airtel, and Vi may still announce offers before the September 18 sale date. For now, the most attractive deals come directly from Apple, and buyers can choose between bank cashback and No Cost EMI instead of waiting for a telecom discount.

  • Airtel Prepaid Recharge Plans in September 2026: Data, 5G, OTT & More

    Airtel Prepaid Recharge Plans in September 2026: Data, 5G, OTT & More

    Airtel continues to offer a wide range of prepaid recharge options in September 2026, with prices starting at just ₹19 and going up to ₹3,999. Whether you need a one-day data top-up, a full year of coverage, or a plan packed with OTT subscriptions and Unlimited 5G, there’s likely a plan that fits your usage patterns.

    Airtel September 2026 prepaid plans at a glance

    Airtel’s September portfolio spans daily data packs, voice-focused plans, Unlimited 5G plans, OTT bundles, and long-term yearly plans. Below is a breakdown of the most notable offerings.

    Entry-level and daily plans

    • Plans start at ₹19 and rise to ₹3,999.
    • Validity ranges from one day to a full year.
    • For light users, small data boosters start at ₹22 for 1GB and go up to ₹200 for 30GB.
    • Need data for a day or two? ₹49 provides one day of unlimited data, while ₹99 covers two days. These boosters work with an active plan and do not extend its validity.

    Popular unlimited and OTT plans

    • ₹379 plan: 2GB per day, unlimited voice calls, 100 SMS per day, and Unlimited 5G access for eligible users. Ideal for those who don’t need many OTT subscriptions.
    • ₹449 plan: 4GB data per day, Unlimited 5G, Xstream Play, and Google One. The best pick for heavy data users who want extra perks.
    • 56-day options: ₹649 offers unlimited voice and 2GB/day; ₹838 adds 3GB/day along with OTT access.
    • 84-day plans: Range from ₹469 to ₹1,798, with various combinations of data, voice, and benefits.
    • Annual plans: Available at ₹2,249, ₹3,599, and ₹3,999. Some include Apple Music, Netflix, JioHotstar Mobile, and other services.

    Which Airtel plan should you choose?

    Bigger plans aren’t always a better value. If you use limited data, a 2GB or 4GB daily allowance may be unnecessary. Similarly, paying extra for Netflix, Apple Music, or other OTT services doesn’t make sense if you rarely use them. Consider your data consumption, required validity, and OTT usage before selecting a plan to avoid overpaying for features you don’t need.

  • Airtel Perplexity Pro Subscription Shows ‘Paused’ Status: What It Means and How to Respond

    Airtel Perplexity Pro Subscription Shows ‘Paused’ Status: What It Means and How to Respond

    Thousands of Airtel customers who took advantage of the operator’s complimentary one-year Perplexity Pro subscription are now seeing a ‘paused’ status on their accounts. While this may cause concern, it does not mean the subscription has been canceled. Instead, it indicates that the promotional period has ended, and users need to decide whether to upgrade to a paid plan.

    Why the Subscription Appears Paused

    Airtel’s limited-time offer, launched in partnership with Perplexity in July 2025, provided eligible prepaid, postpaid, broadband, and DTH customers with a free one-year Perplexity Pro subscription valued at approximately Rs. 17,000. The offer is now closed to new users. Those who activated it before the deadline retain access until their 12-month subscription expires.

    A paused subscription signals that the promotional period has ended. To continue using premium AI services, users must provide a valid payment method and pay for a monthly or yearly plan. The account remains intact; subscribing again will restore access to the Pro version.

    How to Avoid Unwanted Renewal Charges

    Users who do not intend to upgrade should check their account settings before the trial ends. If a payment method was added, they must cancel automatic renewal via the Billing or Subscriptions section. This prevents any charges after the trial period concludes.

    According to Airtel’s FAQs, subscriptions may automatically renew depending on the billing cycle selected after the trial period, unless the user cancels automatic renewal beforehand. The promotion for new activations has stopped, but existing users retain access until their 12-month validity expires.

    What to Do Next

    • If you want to continue using Perplexity Pro, choose a paid subscription plan and add a payment method.
    • If you do not wish to continue, cancel automatic renewal immediately to avoid charges.
    • Be aware that your account and data are not deleted; you can resubscribe later if needed.

    Stay informed about your subscription status to make the best decision for your needs.

  • Airtel vs Jio 84-Day Voice Plans: Which Prepaid Recharge Offers Better Value for WiFi-First Users?

    Airtel vs Jio 84-Day Voice Plans: Which Prepaid Recharge Offers Better Value for WiFi-First Users?

    As more consumers rely on WiFi at home and work, India’s leading telcos are sharpening their offerings for customers who need voice connectivity but little or no mobile data. Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio both offer long-validity, voice-centric prepaid recharges that keep SIMs active while trimming costs: Airtel’s Rs. 548 and Jio’s Rs. 448 plans each run for 84 days and target budget-conscious, data-light subscribers.

    What Do the Plans Include?

    Airtel’s Rs. 548 recharge provides 84 days of service with unlimited local and STD calls across networks and 900 SMS for the entire validity period. The plan isn’t purely voice-only: it also includes a one-time 7GB data bundle for emergency use during the 84 days. Subscribers gain access to Airtel Thanks benefits, including Airtel Xstream Play, Apollo 24/7 Circle and other rewards via the Thanks app.

    Jio’s Rs. 448 pack likewise offers 84 days’ validity and unlimited calling, along with 1,000 SMS for the full term. The recharge consciously omits daily data allocations, positioning itself as a strictly voice-focused option for users who seldom use mobile internet. Jio subscribers receive access to Jio’s platform apps such as JioTV and JioAICloud, along with any additional app features tied to the plan.

    How Do They Differ?

    Jio’s Rs. 448 is priced lower than Airtel’s Rs. 548. SMS allocation favors Jio (1,000 vs 900), and both provide unlimited voice calling for the validity period.

    Airtel’s differentiator is the one-time 7GB data allowance and the Airtel Thanks ecosystem of bundled content and health services. Jio emphasizes a purer voice experience with platform app access instead of mobile data.

    Airtel vs Jio: Which Should You Pick?

    Users who prioritize unlimited calls and an affordable plan can choose Jio’s Rs. 448 as the more economical choice. If you want some mobile data for emergencies and value bundled content and service perks, Airtel’s Rs. 548 delivers that added flexibility. Either plan aims to keep SIMs active affordably for subscribers who spend most of their time on WiFi.

  • Jio vs Airtel 84-Day Prepaid Netflix Plans: Which Offers Better Value in 2026?

    Jio vs Airtel 84-Day Prepaid Netflix Plans: Which Offers Better Value in 2026?

    Netflix remains one of the most popular streaming services, offering a vast library of films, web series, documentaries, and more. However, combining phone recharge costs with OTT subscriptions can quickly add up. Fortunately, users on Jio or Airtel networks can access exclusive prepaid plans that bundle daily data, unlimited calls, SMS, and a complimentary Netflix subscription. Here, we compare the 84-day prepaid Netflix plans from Jio and Airtel to help you decide which delivers better value.

    Jio Plan: ₹1,299 – 84-Day Validity with Netflix, Hotstar & Gemini Benefits

    Jio customers can opt for the ₹1,299 prepaid pack, which offers 84-day validity. The plan includes:

    • 2 GB high-speed data per day
    • Unlimited voice calls (local, STD, roaming)
    • 100 SMS per day
    • 84-day Netflix mobile subscription
    • Unlimited 5G data for eligible customers in 5G-covered areas
    • JioTV and JioAICloud access with 50 GB cloud storage
    • Special promotion: 3-month JioHotstar Mobile membership
    • Google Gemini Pro features for up to 18 months for eligible users

    Airtel Plan: ₹1,799 – 84-Day Validity with Netflix, 5G & Creative Tools

    Airtel’s equivalent 84-day plan is priced at ₹1,799. Subscribers receive:

    • 2 GB data per day
    • Unlimited local, STD, and roaming calls
    • 100 SMS per day
    • Netflix Basic subscription for the recharge period
    • 3-month access to Xstream Play Premium, Zee5 Premium, and JioHotstar Super
    • Unlimited 5G data for eligible users
    • 12 months free Adobe Express Premium
    • Free Hellotunes and The Safe Network

    Which Plan Should You Choose?

    If your primary needs are Netflix access and reliable daily data at a lower price, Jio’s ₹1,299 plan is a clear winner—it costs ₹500 less than Airtel’s option while offering nearly identical core benefits. However, if you value access to multiple OTT platforms (like Zee5, Hotstar, and Xstream Play) plus premium tools like Adobe Express Premium, Airtel’s ₹1,799 plan provides extra value that may justify the higher price.