Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the government-owned telecom operator, has launched two new prepaid plans designed to deliver extended validity, generous data allowances, and competitive pricing. These plans aim to challenge offerings from private telecom giants such as Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel by providing superior value in terms of data and duration.
BSNL ₹599 Plan: 84 Days Validity with High Daily Data
Priced at ₹599, this plan is tailored for users with high data consumption needs. It offers:
- 3GB of high-speed data per day
- Validity of 84 days
- Total data allowance of 252GB over the plan period
- Unlimited voice calling across all networks
- 100 SMS per day
- Complimentary access to BSNL Tunes and Eros Now entertainment services
Once the daily high-speed data limit is exhausted, data access continues at 40 Kbps. The effective daily cost of the plan is approximately ₹7.13.
BSNL ₹299 Plan: Cost-effective Monthly Plan with Double Data
The ₹299 plan is positioned as a monthly prepaid plan suitable for regular users. It includes:
- 3GB of high-speed data per day
- 30 days of validity
- Total data allowance of 90GB per month
- Unlimited voice calling across all networks
- 100 SMS per day
This plan offers significant advantages over comparable plans from private operators. In the ₹299 range, Jio and Airtel typically offer 1.5GB data per day with only 28 days of validity, resulting in a total of 42GB. BSNL provides double the data and an extended validity of 30 days at the same price point. The effective daily cost stands at approximately ₹9.96.
Comparison with Jio and Airtel
The table below outlines the key differences:
| Plan | Price | Validity | Daily Data | Total Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSNL | ₹299 | 30 days | 3GB | 90GB |
| Jio/Airtel | ₹299 | 28 days | 1.5GB | 42GB |
In both pricing segments, BSNL offers longer validity and significantly more data. The ₹599 plan with 84 days of 3GB daily data has no direct counterpart among the current prepaid plans from Airtel or Jio in terms of value for money.
Strategic Implications
These plans are expected to strengthen BSNL’s market presence, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions where affordability and data volume are key considerations. With increasing demand for digital services, BSNL's aggressive pricing could attract users seeking practical and long-term mobile solutions.
Before making a decision, users are advised to consider network availability and service quality in their respective areas. Coverage remains a critical factor when evaluating telecom providers, despite attractive pricing and data offerings.
These new plans from BSNL represent a significant step toward creating a more competitive telecom landscape, offering consumers greater choice and value.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is based on publicly available data and announcements by BSNL at the time of writing. Plan benefits, pricing, and availability may vary based on location and time. Users are advised to check the latest details on the official BSNL website or contact customer service before making any recharge or switch decisions.
