Posts made by Mario D'souza

At last, the state-run telecom service provides BSNL has come up new Bharat Fiber Plans to match Jio Fiber. Though the company announced that the new unlimited Bharat Fiber FTTH plans are on a promotional basis, they are here to stay across India.

In a significant move, the BSNL has unveiled the FTTH broadband plans to stay in the competition especially to counter Reliance JioFiber FTTH. The new plans are named “Fiber Basic”, “Fiber Value”, “Fiber Premium”, and “Fiber Ultra”.

Starting at ₹449, the BSNL Bharat Fiber plans are very aggressive and much-awaited. When the traditional BSNL broadband subscriber base is getting eroded, this move will definitely help the state-run FTTH provider to be in the business.

Officially, these Bharat Fiber Plans will be activated from October 1st and valid for a period of 90 days. All the BSNL subscribers across PAN-India (except Andaman & Nicobar Telecom circle) can avail these plans. Though some news channels reported that this competitive pricing is applicable to certain towns and cities, it’s not true.

The Indian Government is committed to increasing digital connectivity in the next 1000 days. So, the new BSNL Bharat Fiber plans will be uniform across India. In fact, the uniform pricing strategy is also being followed by Reliance Jio where its competitors couldn’t make it.

Bharat Fiber (FTTH) Broadband - Fiber Basic Plan ₹449:

This is a starting plan under Bharat Fiber FTTH broadband. The monthly rental is ₹449 plus GST. Here, you get 30 Mbps speed till 3300 GB, thereafter the speed gets reduced to 2 Mbps. It also includes 24 hours unlimited calling on any network within India.

The Fiber Basic Plan is very much similar to JioFiber Bronze plan and Airtel Unlimited that costs ₹399 and ₹449 per month respectively. However, both the Jio and Airtel FTTH offerings suffer from a post FUP speed of 1 Mbps.

Bharat Fiber (FTTH) Broadband - Fiber Value Plan ₹799:

Here, the speed rocks up to 100Mbps subject to technical feasibility. The monthly rental of BSNL Fiber Value Plan is ₹799 and GST extra. The FUP limit is 3300 GB. Post the 3.3 TB data, the speed gets reduced to 2 Mbps. The unlimited 24 hours on any network is complimentary.

When one compares BSNL Fiber Value Plan ₹799 to Jio Silver and Airtel Premium plans, Jio’s offering is ₹100 cheaper. And as usual, the post FUP speed is lower (1Mbps) both in Jio and Airtel plans.

Bharat Fiber (FTTH) Broadband - Fiber Premium Plan ₹999:

Here, the broadband speed shoots up to 200Mbps with a FUP limit of 3300GB thereafter 2 Mbps. The monthly rental is ₹999 plus tax. All other features and benefits remain the same.

The advantage of Fiber Premium Plan is free access to Disney+ Hotstar Premium pack subscription without any extra fee.
When one compares it with Jio and Airtel plan, the BSNL FTTH plan lacks Amazon Prime Video subscription but instead offers Disney+ Hotstar Premium pack membership.

Bharat Fiber (FTTH) Broadband - Fiber Premium Plan ₹1499:

This is the most expansive plan from Bharat Fiber FTTH broadband. At ₹1499 plus GST extra, you get 4000 GB of data at 300 Mbps speed. Post the usage of 4000 GB data, the speed is throttled to 4Mbps.

The Disney+ Hotstar Premium pack subscription is a bonus. You have the flexibility to get a static IP by paying ₹2000 annually. If we compare the BSNL ₹1499 Fiber Premium Plan with Airtel and Jio FTTH, the BSNL stands out.

The minimum hire period for all the BSNL FTTH plans is 1 month. Similarly, an installation charge of ₹500 is being collected on all the plans. This is much cheaper when it is compared to Jio. Reliance JioFiber FTTH collects ₹1000 as the installation charge.

What’s Your Opinion?

Surely, the announcement of new plans by BSNL Bharat Fiber broadband is need of the hour for the PSU. The customers will now have a wider choice.

Though Bharat Fiber plans seem to be mee-too plans to counter JioFiber, they still have an upper-hand due to its wide coverage even in remote areas.

The interested users can visit the nearest CSC or BSNL franchisee or retailers. Or one can even call BSNL toll free number 1800 345 1500 or My BSNL mobile app or portal for booking a new connection.

Do you agree with my opinion? Share your thoughts.

Also Read: JioFiber Launches New Tariff Plans (With 30-Day Free Trial)

HMD Global has finally launched its first 5G smartphone through an online event. Though it was announced 6 months back, Nokia 8.3 5G launch got delayed.

The waiting is over. Starting today, the US, UK and European consumers can purchase the handset through eCommerce portal Amazon and Best Buy. The HMD Global has not mentioned its availability in the Indian market but one can expect it soon.

Nokia 8.3 5G Specifications:

The Nokia 8.3 5G sports a 6.81-inch LCD display with 2400 x 1080 resolution and 20:9 aspect ratio. Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chipset (7 nm), Adreno 620 GPU and 8GB RAM, this 5G-capable smartphone has an inbuilt 128GB storage. It can be further expandable up to 512GB through microSD card.

Nokia 8.3 5G Camera Setup:

On the optics front, it sports a quad-camera-setup on the back. A 64mp Zeiss sensor is the primary shooter, 12mp ultra-wide lens, a 2mp depth sensor and 2mp macro lens make it competent enough to shoot 4K videos@30fps and 1080p@30fps.

A 24mp selfie shooter is an addition.

As expected, both the power button and the fingerprint sensor are combined for smoother access.

Backed by a 4,500mAh battery and 18W fast charging, Nokia 8.3 5G is quite dependable for 2 days. It boots Android out of the box. Being an Android One product, it will surely get monthly security updates for 3 years and Android 11 and Android 12 update for sure.

On the connectivity side, this carries a dual-SIM slot, a headphone jack and an NFC chip. The parent company HMD Global has mentioned that this 5G smartphone sports more 5G antennas than any other.

This will ultimately result in greater support to both standalone and non-standalone networks.

Nokia 8.3 5G Availability:

Clad in a single Polar Night colour, the Nokia’s only 5G handset will be available globally. If you are a movie fanatic like me, then don’t miss it in the upcoming Bond film No Time to Die.

As a promotional offer, one gets a 6-month 100GB Google One membership trial ($1.99/month value) for free with the purchase of Nokia 8.3 5G handset.

Regarding the price, as of now, only its European price is mentioned as 599 Euros. Surely, one can consider it as an average global price. If one converts it into Indian currency, Nokia 8.3 5G could easily retail at ₹51,599.

Do you agree with my opinion? Share your thoughts.

Also Read: OnePlus 8T 5G to Debut on October 14 (with 65W Warp Charging)

Mumbai-based Hathway Broadband Internet is now offering 150 Mbps broadband at ₹800 per month. This is really competitive pricing from the first cable ISP in India.

Though Reliance Industries has got 72% stake in Hathway, the cable TV service operator is still conducting the business independently. Leaving it aside, the Hathway broadband services are used by 2 million subscribers in major Indian cities including Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad etc.

Hathway 150 Mbps Plan:

The new offering of 150 Mbps is launched exclusively in Kolkata city. Currently, the Freedom2_150 is exclusive to Kolkata telecom circle. Under this plan, the subscribers get 150 Mbps home broadband speed with a monthly FUP of 1200GB.

Post the FUP 1200GB, the speed gets throttled to 5Mbps. Shockingly, this is not a direct monthly plan. You need to take the subscription for a minimum of 6 months or 12 months period. If you are paying for 6 months, then it costs ₹4800. Or the 12-months subscription costs ₹9600.

Either way, you end up paying ₹800 per month effectively.

Interestingly, the same 150 Mbps broadband plan costs ₹5394 in Bengaluru (Value Pack) and ₹5400 in Chennai telecom circles (GPON Dual Band 150) respectively. One should compulsorily take a 6-month or 12-month plan to avail this 150Mbps speed.

In Bengaluru and Chennai Telecom circles, the 150Mbps comes up with 1000GB FUP restriction. Whereas the Kolkata subscriber gets another 200GB relaxation. In all these cities, you get a dual-band WIFI router and installation facility for free.

Hathway 150Mbps Broadband Plan Comparison in 3 Cities:

Hathway 150 Mbps	Kolkata	Bengaluru	Chennai	Chennai
Plan Name	Freedom2_150	Value Pack	GPON Dual Band 150	GPON Community 150
Monthly FUP Limit	1200 GB	1000 GB	1000 GB	1000 GB
Post FUP Speed	5 Mbps	3 Mbps	5 Mbps	5 Mbps
Cost for 6 Months	Rs 4800	Rs 5394	Rs 5400	Rs 4794
Cost for 12 Months	Rs 9600	Rs 10788	Rs 10800	Rs 9588

Though Hathway offers cheaper plans in the broadband segment, it is not uniform. In some cities like Bhilai, Chandigarh, and Visakhapatnam, the max speed is just 2Mbps. On the other end, the Chennai area gets the highest speed of 300 Mbps at ₹1400 effectively.

If this is the situation of a broadband company, what will be its reception? Undoubtedly, the cellular operators like BSNL 3G and Jio 4G are way ahead of Hathway. If the cable operator wants to really stay in the business, it has to upgrade the infrastructure.

Also Read: JioFiber Launches New Tariff Plans (With 30-Day Free Trial)

Though BSNL is not the front runner in the Indian telecom industry, it’s presence even in the remote areas can’t be written off. This is an exclusive article on the BSNL prepaid recharge plans for validity extension.

Earlier, the state-run telecom company BSNL used to have affordable tariff plans. However, with the entry of Jio, the state-owned telecom network is also at par with other networks in terms of recharge plans.

The good thing about BSNL is its introduction of new tariff plans at regular intervals. Recently, it has introduced a ₹49 prepaid recharge plan for its subscribers in Chennai and Tamil Nadu circles. It offers 100 minutes free calling, 2GB data and 100 SMS with a validity period of 28 days.

One can expect the same plan to be launched in other telecom circles too.

BSNL Prepaid Plans across PAN India:

Leaving it aside, let’s have a closer look at the other prepaid recharge plans by BSNL for validity extension:

Per Second Plan ₹74:

The smallest recharge offered by BSNL is ₹74. It packs 2GB data and 100 min free voice calls with a validity of 60 days. You get a free PRBT default tune for 60 days.

This is a minimum compulsory recharge in order to stay away from the BSNL SIM getting suspended. With this, one has to spend a minimum of ₹37 to get incoming calls on the BSNL prepaid.

Adv Per Min ₹94:

The next cheapest BSNL prepaid recharge is ₹94. With 90 days validity period, one can enjoy 3GB data and 100 min free voice calls in home and national roaming including Mumbai and Delhi telecom circles. There’s an inter circle roaming pact with Vodafone as VLMN in Delhi.

The subscribers can enjoy complimentary PRBT default tune for 60 days. The plans seem to be the most affordable BSNL prepaid recharge as one has to spend only ₹32 per month.

Adv Per Sec ₹95:

The only difference you find here is a per-second billing. With 90 days validity period, one can enjoy 3GB data and 100 min free voice calls in home and national roaming including Mumbai and Delhi telecom circles.

Here also, the subscribers can enjoy complimentary PRBT default tune for 60 days.

Ananth ₹105:

Ananth ₹105 used to be the most popular recharge in the rural regions. However, it lost the charm. Coming to the freebies, it offers unlimited local and STD calls and 100 SMS for 24 days. The validity of the pack is just 60 days.

PV ₹153:

The PV ₹153 recharge offers unlimited voice calls in home and national roaming including MTNL network in Mumbai and Delhi telecom circles. Apart from unlimited calling, it offers daily 1GB data and 100 SMS for a period of 28 days. Post the allotted 1GB data, the speed is throttled to 40kbps.

PV ₹186:

The PV ₹186 recharge offers unlimited voice calls in Home LSA and national roaming including MTNL network in Mumbai and Delhi telecom circles. There’s a FUP of 250 minutes per day.

Apart from voice calling, it offers unlimited 2GB daily data and 100 SMS for a period of 28 days in roaming as well. Post the FUP 2GB data, the speed is reduced to 80kbps. Free PRBT default tune can be availed.

Also Read: BSNL Minimum Recharge for Incoming Calls 2020 (Updated)

Finally, Samsung brings Galaxy M51 to India with a massive 7,000mAh battery. Giving stiff competition to OnePlus Nord and Vivo C19, Samsung today launched its new handset at ₹24,999.

The Samsung’s new handset come in 2 configurations, namely 6GB RAM + 128GB ROM and 8GB RAM + 128GB ROM prices at ₹24,999 and ₹26,999 respectively. Starting 18th September, one can purchase it both online and offline including Amazon.in, Samsung India website and at all reputed retail stores.

As a launch offer, the HDFC customers can enjoy an instant discount of ₹2,000 on purchasing Samsung Galaxy M51 at Amazon website. This is really a sweet deal.

Samsung Galaxy M51 Specifications:

Coming to the specifications, Samsung Galaxy M51 is a jumbo smartphone. It sports a 6.7-inch full HD+ Super AMOLED Plus Infinity-O hole-punch camera cutout display with 20:9 aspect ratio. To be frank, this is really larger than Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max.

The display looks fantastic with bright solid colours. It has got a peak brightness of 420 nits. Powered by octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G SoC and 8GB RAM, this is undoubtedly a fast phone in terms of performance.

Based on Android 10, the handset runs on OneUI 2.1. One can find the same OS on Galaxy S20 Ultra too.

The quad rear camera setup includes 64mp primary shooter with f/1.8 aperture, 12mp ultra-wide-angle sensor, 5mp macro lens, and 5mp depth sensor. You get 32mp selfie camera at the front with f/2.2 aperture. Autofocus is incredibly fast.

The camera setup seems to be similar in lines of those offered by Galaxy M31s preloaded with many interesting features. One can try 4K recording with DOLBY ATMOS. There’s a side-mounted fingerprint sensor too.

It has an inbuilt 128GB storage and can be further expanded up to 512GB. Being a mid-range smartphone, one can expect all modern connectivity options including 4G LTE, Bluetooth v5.0, USB Type-C, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

Massive Battery as a Powerbank?

The inclusion of 7000mAh battery along with 25W fast charger is the real USP of the handset. You can definitely expect it to last more than a day. In less than 2 hours, you can do a full charge of this massive battery. Unfortunately, it scaled up the weight to 213 grams.

One can even use the Samsung Galaxy M51 handset as a power bank. Reverse wire charging facility is also there. Type C to Type C data cable is also provided in the retail box.

Though Samsung has uniquely positioned it as a mid-range handset (in spite of flagship features), there could be stiff competition from OnePlus Nord, Redmi K20 Pro, Realme X3, Vivo C19 etc.

Do you agree with my opinion? Share your thoughts.

Also Read: Poco M2 with Helio G80 & 6GB RAM Priced at ₹10999

Tata Sky’s fibre broadband network has introduced a new 300 Mbps plan to its portfolio. Starting today, the customers can enjoy the whooping high-speed unlimited plan.

As per the company’s press release, the new 300 Mbps plan provides 300 Mbps speed of data with a download limit of 3300GB. After the exhaustion of the FUP limit, the speed is capped at 3 Mbps.

Tata Sky Broadband 300Mbps Unlimited Plan @ ₹1900:

Though the Tata Sky Broadband has unveiled this high-speed plan in the month of May itself, the users couldn’t make effective use of it. Right now, the plan can be subscribed all-over India.

However, one should look for the technical feasibility of the said plan in their areas.

With a monthly rental of ₹1900, the users can avail a free router that supports 300 Mbps. Currently, there are no active special offers for the said plan.

If the customer opts for 3-months plan, then gets the same 300 Mbps plan for ₹5400 plus free installation. Similarly, with 6-months plan, the subscriber will get a 10% discount at ₹9720. If you are looking for a 15% discount, then go for a 12-month plan that costs ₹9720 excluding 18% tax.

Duration	Cost
1 Month	Rs 1900
3 Months	Rs 5400
6 Months	Rs 9720
12 Months	Rs 18360

Tata Sky Broadband 300Mbps Fixed GB Plan @ ₹1470:

Apart from unlimited plans, the TATA Sky Broadband has also got fixed GB plans. Under this pricing, one can download 500GB data at ₹1470. The speed remains the same at 300 Mbps till FUP 500GB. Thereafter, you get 3Mbps speed.

The main USP of fixed GB plans is the data rollover facility. Of course, you get a good discount with 3 months, 6-months and annual plans.

Duration	Cost
1 Month	Rs 1470
3 Months	Rs 4200
6 Months	Rs 7560
12 Months	Rs 14280

As per the official data, this high-speed 300 Mbps plan is currently offered at Bengaluru, Chennai, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Gurgaon, Mira Bhayandar, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, New Delhi, Noida, Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune, and Thane.

This is to mention that Tata Sky Broadband has many other plans in its portfolio including 100 Mbps. But still, the company has to look for innovative ideas to grab the market from the existing players.

Also Read: Reliance JioFiber to Offer Broadband Plans with 100GB Data at ₹500 in 100 Towns

Realme, an offshoot the Chinese brand OPPO, has come up with impressive upgrades within just 5 months. Starting from the new chipset to 90Hz refresh rate display, Realme 6 offers the best midrange specs at an affordable price.

The Realme 6 series comprises Realme 6 and Realme 6 Pro handsets. In fact, the company boasts them to be the successors of Realme 5 Pro and Realme X respectively. Both the handsets feature 90Hz refresh rate display, 30W fast charging and side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

Realme 6 Specifications:

The latest offering Realme 6 is not an upgrade to Realme 5; instead, it’s a true successor to Realme 5 Pro. It sports a 6.5-inch LCD with Full HD+ display and 90 Hz refresh rate. The 90.5% screen-to-body ratio with Gorilla Glass 3 on top and a punch hole for 16-megapixel f/2.0 selfie camera makes it a unique offering.

Powered by the MediaTek Helio G90T chipset, (up to) 8GB RAM, and coupled with two 2.05 GHz Cortex A76 big cores and six 2 GHz Cortex-A55 power-efficient cores, Mali –G76 MC4 GPU, the handset offers a dedicated microSD card slot filled with 128GB inbuilt space. Incidentally, the tech lovers are already impressed with the Helio G90T chip performance of Redmi Note 8 Pro.

Coming to cameras, there are 4 snappers on the back. It includes 64-megapixel Samsung ISOCELL Bright GW1 shooter, 8-megapixel f/2.3 ultra-wide-angle lens, 2-megapixel macro lens, and 2-megapixel portrait lens. As mentioned, it also offers a 16-megapixel selfies shooter on the back.

Backed by 4,300 mAh battery and 30W charger in the box, this could regain its power within an hour. Starting March 11th, one can pre-order this handset (initial deposit ₹3000) at Flipkart and Realme.com website.

Currently, the company has disclosed the Comet Blue and Comet White coloured variants. The three versions include 4GB RAM/64GB ROM (₹12999), 6GB RAM/128GB ROM (₹14999), and 8GB RAM/128GB ROM (₹15999).

Realme 6 Pro Specifications:

The Realme 6 Pro is powered by the latest Snapdragon 720G chipset and has a pill-shaped dual-hole punch design. It sports a bigger 6.6-inch Full HD+ resolution LCD screen with 90Hz refresh rate.

The 2.3 GHz octa-core Kryo 465 CPU and Adreno 618 GPU combo with 6/8GB RAM makes it a Pro. The dual-selfie optics setup includes a 16-megapixel main shooter and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens.

On the rear side, you get a 64-megapixel main lens, 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens (105-degree field of view), and a 2-megapixel macro camera and 12-megapixel f/2.5 telephoto shooter. The Realme 6 Pro also boasts to support UIS and UIS Max Video Stabilization.

On the battery front, Realme 6 Pro also packs 4300 mAh battery with 30W flash fast charger. Known for its Realme UI, this powerful handset is on Android 10 and supports NavIC (India’s own satellite navigation system).

Starting March 13th, the Realme 6 Pro is available (via pre-order) both online and offline including Flipkart and Realme.com store. The pricing is as follows: 6GB RAM/64GB ROM (₹16999), 6GB RAM/128GB ROM (₹17999), and 8GB RAM/128GB ROM (₹18999). Colour-wise, they do come in Lightning Blue and Lightning Orange coloured variants.

As a launch offer, there could be a flat ₹1000 off on transactions using Axis Bank. On a lighter note, both the handsets are a bit expensive but still the cheapest phone to offer 90Hz refresh rate display.

Facing stiff competition in the Indian market, Xiaomi is not leaving any stone to maintain its supremacy. Xiaomi popular for making budget handsets has failed in maintaining an open sale for its products.

Till now, the company used flash sales as the medium to sell its popular products. Realizing its mistake, the Chinese electronics giant has decided to release Redmi Note 8 handsets in an open sale.

Open Sale Model:

With this, the Xiaomi has changed its marketing model to open sale. The new open sale system will be applicable across all the platforms including Flipkart, Amazon India and Mi India portal.

The entire Redmi 8 line up is now open for the open sale. That means, the customer can purchase the handset anytime without worrying about the time frame.

The Redmi Note 8 Pro (Amazon India exclusive), Redmi Note 8 (Amazon India exclusive) and Redmi 8 (Flipkart exclusive) are hereby available for the open sale instead of the flash sale model.

For the unaware, the Redmi Note 8 Pro is one of the first handsets in the market to feature a 64-megapixel camera along with a powerful Helio G90T chipset. The Chinese giant Xiaomi has got a dedicated microSD slot for the Indian variant.

Equipped with 6GB RAM/64GB ROM, mammoth 4500mAh battery and 18W quick-charger, Redmi Note 8 Pro retails at ₹14,999.

Budget King Redmi 8 Phone Lineup:

On the other hand, the budget king Redmi Note 8 is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chipset and up to 6GB RAM, it has inbuilt 128GB storage and retails at ₹9,999. The 48-megapixel Quad camera captures sharp and clear images even in night mode.

The most affordable handset of the Redmi 8 series is Redmi 8. It sports AI dual rear cameras, huge 5000mAh battery and Type-C port. Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 chipset and 4GB RAM, it packs 64GB inbuilt space.

At just ₹7,999, the handset has got fingerprint scanner and Aura mirror design.

The company has finally got good news for its handset lovers. Hope it makes a good start in the new year too.

Also Read: Redmi 8 with Dual Cameras & 5000mAh Battery Launched at ₹7999

The Chinese smartphone maker Lenovo has now launched another budget handset Lenovo K10 Plus in the Indian market. Though the handset retains the design aspects of Lenovo K10 Note, it has got some changes in the configuration.

Anticipating a big sale, the company has scheduled its sale during Flipkart’s Big Billion Day sale event and priced it at ₹10,999. Starting September 30th, the interested buyers can avail this opportunity as Flipkart is offering a host of offers during the sale.

One can avail an instant 10% discount if purchased through HDFC Credit cards. However, if you are purchasing via HDC debit card then the cashback is limited to 5%. Apart from this, the Flipkart is also offering up to ₹3,000 discount to users while exchanging their old smartphone.

Lenovo K10 Plus Specifications:

As per the specifications, the new Lenovo K10 Plus sports a 6.22-inch IPS LCD display panel with an FHD+ 2340x1080 pixels resolution (19.5:9 aspect ratio). Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 SoC clubbed with Adreno 506 GPU and 4GB RAM, the handset packs 64GB internal storage.

The USP is that the storage space can be expanded up to 2TB through a microSD card. Sadly, there’s no other variant except the 4GB RAM + 64GB internal storage.

Lenovo K10 Plus Software - Camera & More:

In terms of the software, the Lenovo K10 Plus runs on Android 9 Pie-based ZUI 11. It has triple rear camera setup (13mp primary sensor + 8mp ultra-wide + 5mp depth mapping) and a single shooter (16-megapixel) on the front for selfies and video calls. It also sports a fingerprint sensor on the rear side.

On the connectivity front, it has got Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth v5.0, GPS, FM Radio, USB Type-C port and 3.5mm audio socket. The other notable feature is the back up of 4050mAh battery with 18W fast charging technology support. However, the box packs 10W rapid charger only.

Clad in two color variants (Black and Sprite), the Lenovo K10 Plus offers a decent value for money as it has got Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 SoC. With this one can easily group it along Xiaomi Redmi 7, Xiaomi Redmi Y3 and Asus Zenfone Max M2.

Also Read: Xiaomi Redmi Note 7S First Impressions: Redmi Note 7 Plus 48MP Camera

The Chinese tech giant Xiaomi today launched the successor to the best all-round camera phone. With 32-megapixel selfie shooter, the new Redmi Y 3 is all set to become the best selfie-centric handset under 10K budget.

To recall, the Redmi Y2 lacked the powerful battery backup, and the Xiaomi worked on it to give the best battery juice with 4000nAh battery. On the selfie front, there is a double–fold increase with 32-megapixel front shooter when compared to the previous 16-mp lense.

Xiaomi Redmi Y3 Specifications:

Regarding the specifications, Redmi Y3 has got the premium look and design of Redmi Note 7 and Redmi Note 7 Pro handsets. With the 6.26-inch HD+ display, 19:9 aspect ratio and Dot notch, Redmi Y3 smartphone has a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection on top.

Also Read: Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Launched in China with 48MP Rear Camera

There were a lot of speculations with respect to the processor used. However, the Chinese company silenced the rumors by incorporating a potent Snapdragon 632 SoC from Qualcomm. It’s the same processor used in Honor 8C and Asus Zenfone Max M2. The Redmi Y3 is available in 2 variants: 3GB RAM+ 32GB ROM and 4GB RAM + 4GB ROM,

The dual rear cameras (12mp + 2mp) setup with EIS and AI Scene Detection forms the core of Redmi Y3 optics configuration. Incidentally, there’s a Google Lens set up too. As per the known sample, the portraits on selfie mode are pretty crisp with sharp edges.

The Best Selfie Camera Under 10K?

On the front, the Redmi Y3 has a 32-megapixel front camera on similar lines with Vivo V15 Pro that has been retailing at 29K. Thus, at a one-third price you get the best selfies in Pro mode. Isn’t it tempting?

Similarly, there’s a huge update with respect to the battery. Leaving its dated 3080mAh battery, the new Redmi Y3 has got 4000mAh battery that can easily support ten hours of video streaming. As per the reports, the Redmi Y3 has a standby time of 3 days. That’s really a huge plus!

Coming to the connectivity options, Redmi Y3 provides a dual 4G VoLTE dedicated triple slot, USB Type-C port, 3.5mm headphone jack, IR blaster, finger print scanner and Face Unlock feature. With dedicated triple slot, one can use 2 nano-SIM cards and a microSD card slot without any issue.

On the software side, the selfie-centric handset boots MIUI 10 with the latest Android 9 Pie out of the box. This enables the low blue light feature that helps you to reduce strain on your eyes during the night.

Available in 3 color variants (Bold Red, Elegant Blue, and Prime Black), the new Redmi Y3 will be exclusive to Amazon India and the first flash sale is schedule on 30th April 12 Noon.

Also Read: Redmi Note 7 Pro with 48MP Camera - The New Budget King

Samsung Electronics has got good news for its Indian fans. The Suwon, South Korean headquartered Samsung Mobile Division is all set to launch Samsung Galaxy M30 smartphone in the Indian market on February 27.

Incidentally, this launch has attracted a lot of attention as the company choose just a day ahead of Redmi Note 7 launch. Touted to include a triple camera, Samsung Galaxy M30 will definitely give a tight competition for Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 7.

The Made-in-India Samsung Galaxy M series is the best performing product line. As this Galaxy M series is a direct challenger to Redmi handsets in India, one can expect the best configuration in an affordable range.

In a series of tweets, the South Korean electronics giant has revealed that Samsung Galaxy M30 will sport a super AMOLED Infinity – U notched display. Moreover, the smartphone will also have a triple camera facility. However, the configuration of the optics is not yet public.

Samsung Galaxy M30 Specifications:

If the rumours are to be believed, then Samsung Galaxy M30 smartphone will have the following specifications. This 6.38-inch Super AMOLED display handset will be powered by Exynos 7904 processor. Notably, it will have a basic 4GB RAM + 64GB ROM and higher 6GB RAM +128GB ROM variant.

As said earlier, there’s no concrete information regarding the optics. However, the company has created an impression that it will sport a triple-lens camera set up at the back. It is to be noted that Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 7 will feature a 48-megapixel rear camera and it will see the light in India on February 28th.

Mammoth Battery to Compete Redmi Note 7:

The insider reports reveal a mammoth 5000mAh battery for Samsung Galaxy M30 handset. One can expect the handset to be an Amazon India exclusive. Apart from Amazon’s storefront, the handset will also be on sale through Samsung’s own e-store.

With huge expectations on, this dual-SIM handset will be aggressively priced (at ₹15K) to counter Xiaomi Redmi Note 7. Previously, the Galaxy M10 and Galaxy M20 smartphones were sold like hotcakes at a starting price if ₹7990 and ₹10990 respectively.

Definitely, one can expect a similar strategy from Samsung Mobile India to cement its top place in the Indian market. Let’s wait until 27th February, at 6 pm.

Also Read: Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Launched in China with 48MP Rear Camera

In an effort to consolidate the unlimited packs, Bharti Airtel added ₹169 recharge plan to its bouquet. As an open market plan, now one can recharge the unlimited combo pack starting at ₹169.

As a part of a promotional strategy, only the select subscribers used to get this ₹169 offering. Moreover, the introduction of minimum recharge dented the image of private telecom operators including Bharti Airtel. To minimize the criticism, the Bharti Airtel revised its combo plans for the benefit of its loyal customers.

Bharti Airtel ₹169 Plan:

Under this new ₹169 recharge plan, Bharti Airtel subscribers will be able to enjoy unlimited (local and STD) calls, daily 1GB data and 100 local/STD SMS per day with a validity period of 28 days. It enables the users to enjoy unlimited national calls with ₹169 recharge.

However, if you are a data freak and want 1.5 GB daily data benefit, you need to recharge with ₹199. Similarly, the bigger package ₹249 offers daily 2GB data, 100 National SMS/day and unlimited calls including national roaming.

Removing the special plans for select customers, Bharti Airtel has now revised the open market plans with a better validity period.

The ₹399 recharge enables unlimited national calls, daily 1GB data, and daily 100 SMS benefit with a validity period of 84 days. Similarly, the ₹448 recharge offers daily 1.5GB data, unlimited calls, and 100 national SMS per day with a validity of 82 days. In contrast, the ₹499 recharge offers 2GB daily data, daily 100 local+STD SMS and unlimited calls even in roaming.

Bharti Airtel Unlimited Recharge Plans:

To sum it up, here’s the tabular form of the unlimited packs with the validity period.

Plan MRP	₹169	₹199	₹249	₹399	₹448	₹499
Local + STD Calls	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Roaming Incoming Calls	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Roaming Outgoing Calls	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Local/National SMS	100 SMS/day	100 SMS/day	100 SMS/day	100 SMS/day	100 SMS/day	100 SMS/day
Daily 3G/4G Data	1 GB Data	1.5 GB Data	2 GB Data	1 GB Data	1.5 GB Data	2 GB Data
Validity Period	28 days	28 days	28 days	84 days	82 days	82 days

Also Read: Airtel Adds Another 1.4GB Daily Data Plan with 75 Days Validity at ₹419

Starting January 1st, Indian TV consumers’ need to pay ₹130 + GST for viewing first set of 100 free-to-air (FTA) channels. If you want to popular channels from top broadcasters then get ret ready to pay extra.

The same strategy would be applied to both DTH and Cable TV operators. As per the directions of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the broadcasters should provide choice to the consumers and should work in a complete transparent framework. TRAI says the new tariff will make cable TV plans cheaper.

Consumer Choice of Channels:

This is to be noted that even the apex court supported the tariff plan of TRAI. With this, the consumers will only pay for the channels they want.

Till now, the consumers used to pay a lump sum amount for the broadcasted channels. This practice continued even after Analog to Digital signal conversion and set up of set-top units. Undoubtedly, there was an improvement in audio and video quality.

No More A Bundled Package:

Still, the cable TV operators in towns and cities collected ₹200-400 for providing 250-400 channels. This included Free-to-Air news channels, popular genres like entertainment, movies, sports, and regional channels such as Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Urdu etc.

Based on the local and regional taste, the Cable TV operators telecast a good number of channels. Generally, the Indian viewers are habituated to pay after viewing not before.

However, the DTH operators are telecasting digital signals and they charge based on language, niche (sports, entertainment, movies, English movies etc). Some have different bouquets whereas other adopt a-la-carte by collecting amount in a prepaid manner. Some DTH operators even have 3-months, 6-months and yearly packages giving a better deal to the customers.

Shell Out a Big Buck:

As per the new tariff, the Cable TV operators need to adopt prepaid payments. It has to charge ₹130 + GST for providing 100 Free-to-Air channels. So, if the consumer wants to subscribe other popular network channels (Star India, Zee Entertainment, Sony Pictures Networks, IndiaCast, Disney, NDTV, Discovery Networks, etc), he has to shell out extra amount. It may be ₹184 for 95 pay channels. Above all, the network capacity fee of ₹100 (₹25 per 20 channels) will be an extra.

This would add up, finally paying a high amount of ₹430-440 a month for the Hindi basic package without any sports and HD movies. If you add sports and movie stuff, then get ready to pay ₹575-600 per month.

Fortunately, one can even opt a-al-carte. However, the monthly bill will go over ₹800-1000 as the network channels provide a huge discount of 35-55% as a bouquet.

This is to be noted that if a channel wants to be included in a package then it’s MRP is capped at ₹19. That’s the reason, most of the popular pay channels are priced between ₹15 – 19. So, a consumer opting 50 popular channels may end up paying ₹400.

What’s Your Opinion?

Interesting, a research pointed out that an average consumer views only 14 channels even if the DTH/Cable TV operators broadcast hundreds of channels. Why not the whole family sit together and decide the channels? This exercise will definitely cut down the unnecessary expenditure.

With less than 10 days in hand, the Cable TV consumers are still unaware of the major change after digitalization. Though the message is being scrolled, nobody knows what will happen on January 1st. Ironically, TRAI’s new decision, in the name of standardization of Cable TV & DTH, will only favor broadcasters the not general public.

Will the TRAI’s new appeal consumers choice of channels work or a complete blackout?

@amitav-sengupta

The Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 to go on sale today at 12 noon. There will be a flat ₹1000 instant discount when purchased through HDFC Bank debit and credit cards.

If you are a loyal customer purchasing through Flipkart then you might have already got Axis Bank Buzz credit card. With this, you can get an extra 5% off.

Owing to the presence of Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 SoC and a big battery, the latest handset has got good reviews. And one expects the sale to be a flash mode. Get ready with your blazing internet speed to grab the new budget king.

Netplus, a 100% subsidiary of Fastway Transmission Pvt Ltd, has come up with GIGA speed plans in Punjab. Probably, this is the first ever super-fast 1000 Mbps broadband plan in the Punjab telecom circle.

Net+1000 Mbps Broadband Plan:

Titled Net+ Giga, the plan offers 1Gbps speed with a FUP limit of 500 GB. The pricing of 1000 Mbps broadband plan starts at ₹4999. As mentioned earlier, this starting plan has a FUP limit of 500 GB. Whereas the bigger plan priced at ₹5999 offers a whopping 1000GB FUP. That’s an incredible offer!

After the crossing of the said FUP limits, both the plans will still offer 100 Mbps speed irrespective of your usage. With increasing demand in data, the Internet Service Providers started offering the best feasible speeds.

Till now, Netplus is widely known for its 500 Mbps plan both in Haryana and Punjab. Hereafter, the company will enjoy the status of GIGA speed. However, the said facility is currently limited to Punjab and one can surely expect in Haryana too.

Announcing the launch, Mr. Prem Ojha, CEO, Netplus, said that “We are pleased to launch super speed GIGA plans on our FTTH platform”. Surely, this will bring new technologies and promotes broadband evolution in the region.

Though there is a threat from Reliance Jio FTTH, the emerging companies are trying their best to offer ten times higher speeds and four times more data at half the price than the current offerings. It will bring a big change in the mindset of users and developers too.

Net+ 500 Mbps Broadband Plan:

Apart from 1000Mbps FTTH plans, Netplus has also got plans with 500 Mbps download speed. In this ₹2999 plan, the FUP limit is 500 GB. Post the FUP limit; the speed will be throttled to 50 Mbps.

Netplus has another plan with 200 Mbps download speed. Priced at ₹1599, the plan offers 200 Mbps speed with 500 GB FUP limit. Thereafter, the speed will be reduced to 50 Mbps.

Net+ 100 Mbps Broadband Plan:

Below the 200 Mbps plan, Netplus got a 100 Mbps broadband plan at₹1099. Here, the user will get 500 GB data. Post the usage of 500 GB, the speed will come down to 20 Mbps.

These days’ internet service providers are launching many plans with FUP limits. Keeping the demand in view, the Netplus has also got truly unlimited plans without any FUP limitation. The broadband plans Net+ New Speed 20 and Net+ New Speed 50 comes with 20Mbps and 50Mbps at a price of ₹899 and ₹1299 respectively.

The state-run telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited is regularly launching value-for-money tariff vouchers to counter private companies. Today it came out with another prepaid tariff plan titled STV 349.

The BSNL Prepaid STV 349 provides unlimited voice calls (including roaming) and 54GB of data with a validity of 54 days. The tariff plan is a PAN-India offering except for Mumbai and Delhi telecom circles. As usual, the data has a 1GB daily limit but what surprises is the absence of SMS benefits.

BSNL Prepaid 349 Vs Other Tariff Vouchers:

The latest BSNL STV 349 is an attempt to counter the private telecom operators 349 tariff voucher. For a quick review, Reliance Jio offering is way ahead of its competitors with unlimited calls, daily 1.5GB data and daily 100 SMS with a validity of 70 days.

Also Read: Bharti Airtel ₹249 Plan Offers 2GB Daily Data for 28 Days

However, Bharti Airtel has something different to offer with high data provision. The Airtel 349 tariff plan offers unlimited calling, daily 3GB data, and daily 100 SMS for 28 days. Similarly, Idea Cellular is offering unlimited calling with FUP limits, daily 3GB data and daily 100 SMS for 28 days. As said Idea Cellular’s unlimited calling has a FUP limitation of 250 minutes per day and 1000 minutes per week.

The 349 plans offered by Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular companies have a whopping 3GB data daily limit. That means one gets 84 GB data in 28 days period. In contrast, Reliance Jio offers a whopping 105GB data in 70 days period.

On the other hand, BSNL provides 54GB data in 54 days period. However, it lacks 4G services. Though the BSNL has started offering 4G services on a trial basis, it can’t be relied upon. Even if BSNL offers 54 GB data, the poor connectivity makes it highly unfeasible to use the offered data.

IPL Mania & Data Offers:

Recently, Vodafone India launched its own 349 STV that offers daily 3GB data with unlimited voice calling and daily 100 SMS with a validity of 28 days. With IPL buzz, the telecom companies are luring the customers with data perks.

Probably, Vodafone India is the first telecom company to offer 3GB data on a daily basis. Taking a cue from Vodafone India, both Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular also revised their plans to offer daily 3GB data.

What’s Your Opinion?

With this daily 3GB data offering, the telecom operators will start a new trend. It implies that the telecom companies are looking to increase the ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) by offering data in return.

Hopefully, the telecom sector is all set to settle down. The recent creation of a dedicated Telecom Ombudsman is yet another welcoming sign to solve any issues related to telecom.

Also Read: BSNL BBG Combo ULD 700 Amaze Offers Free Amazon Prime Subscription

With the Supreme Court of India making it mandatory to link Aadhaar with the mobile number, there is a sudden rush across all the retail outlets or customer service centres of mobile operators. If you have not linked the 12-digit Aadhaar number to your mobile number by 31st March 2018, there’s every chance that it may be disconnected in April.

Earlier the subscriber needs to visit the nearest store to complete the formality of re-verifying the number with Aadhar number. All telecom companies including the state-run BSNL has announced online verification of mobile numbers. With the new initiative, you are not required to visit any store or office for completing the KYC process and Aadhaar mobile linking.

It is definitely a huge relief for all the subscribers across the nation as it is much easier to link Aadhaar with the mobile number.

BSNL Aadhaar Link Online Process:

The BSNL has announced the Aadhaar link online process that can be used without any hiccups. The process is very simple and straightforward. Just visit the official BSNL website and login-in. If you don’t have the login credentials, just sign-up.

Just enter your existing BSNL mobile number, and within no time, you will get an OTP on that number. Once when you enter the OTP (one-time password) number, your work is done.

Later on, all the details are sent to local telecom circle for further verification. If all the submitted details are verified then the subscriber will get an SMS about the successful completion of the verification task.

Also Read: BSNL Unveils ₹7 and ₹16 Mini Packs to Offer 1GB and 2GB Data

However, the telecom operator has limited this web-based application to NRIs, senior citizens (age greater than 70 years) and Physically challenged persons only. Undoubtedly, this step will help millions of old and physically challenged persons.

BSNL Aadhaar Link Through IVRS:

If you are sure about the web portal process, then straight away opt IVRS service for Aadhar seeding. The central government has announced a single number 14546 for IVR (Interactive Voice Response) to facilitate Aadhaar linking.

Dial 14546 from your BSNL mobile number (or any telecom company SIM). Select the preferred language. You can select English, Hindi or any regional language of your choice.

Then you need to give consent by providing 12-digit Aadhar Number that will be verified by the UIDAI. This method of Aadhar seeding will work only If you’ve already provided mobile number during Aadhaar registration. In this case, you will receive a 6-digit OTP number on the already linked mobile number.

Just input the OTP number on the automated call to complete the Aadhaar linking procedure. Do remember that this OTP is valid for only 30 minutes. Within no time, you’ll receive a confirmation message on your mobile number. The re-verification process will take 48 hours to complete the Aadhaar linking.

Say, if you’ve not added any mobile number during the Aadhaar registration, then this approach will not work.

What if Aadhaar Linking Process is Failed?

If any reason the subscriber experiences an unsuccessful attempt then the telecom operator will inform or send a message that the process is failed. Under such circumstances, the customer should visit the BSNL CSC or the telecom operator’s retail outlet for the biometric authentication process.

For any clarifications, the BSNL subscriber can call 1503 or visit the nearby customer service centre.

Mobile Number Reverification Exemption:

For the unaware, every mobile subscriber need not reverify and link Aadhaar. The Reliance Jio has been offering the Jio SIM only after completing the re-verification process. Similarly, the other telecom operators also started following the same procedure. If you own a new SIM in 2018 then your mobile number is already Aadhar linked. The corporate plan users are also exempted from undergoing this re-verification process.

How to Link Aadhar to Mobile at Retail Outlets?

You don’t need any document for linking Aadhaar. Just take a photocopy of Aadhaar card and self-attest it. Do remember that telecom operators do not charge any money for the whole process. Just provide your mobile number, Aadhaar number and biometric verification. That’s it.

Remember, you can re-verify your mobile number at BSNL store (or any telecom operator retail outlet) even if it is not registered with UIDAI.

Also Read: BSNL Launches ₹99 Unlimited Plan with 26 Days Validity

Soon after Bharti Airtel started offering 1.5GB per day data and unlimited roaming calls, Idea Cellular joined the race with me-too combo tariff plan. All the incumbent telecom operators are leaving no stone unturned in its combat against the new entrant.

In one way or the other, Both Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular are trying to dominate Reliance Jio in terms of combo tariff plans. Till now, the incumbent telecom network operators showered unlimited calls and 1GB per day 4G data exclusively to 4G handset users. Then, they opened the plans to all the networks including 2G, 3G and 4G.

Recently, Bharti Airtel revised its popular plan ₹349 to offer 100 SMS per day and free outgoing roaming. Now, the leading operator further revised its plan to offer 1.5GB data per day instead of 1GB data. Finally, the STV Combo 349 offers 1.5 GB/day 4G/3G data, unlimited local STD calls + Unlimited Roaming calls, and 100 SMS/day with a validity of 28 days.

Idea Cellular New 357 Plan:

Idea Cellular too revised its plan and as per the latest information, the new 357 recharge offers unlimited voice calls (local and STD) and unlimited outgoing roaming calls, and 100 SMS per day along with 1.5GB 4G/3G/2G data.

Apart from this new 357 recharge, Idea Cellular also launched two new 398 recharge vouchers. The ₹398 recharge vouchers differ in the validity period. One has 58 days and the other 70 days. However, it offers 1GB/day data (applicable in 4G/3G/2G), and unlimited calling (local, STD, and roaming) and 100 SMS per day.

However, Idea Cellular’s new partner Vodafone India is also offering the same benefits except for 100 SMS per day. It seems Vodafone is little late in adopting the new standards.

Who is Number #1?

If you compare Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular and, Vodafone India, then Bharti Airtel’s offering is miles ahead in terms of innovation. However, it lacks credibility as the company adopted differential pricing. Leaving it aside, Bharti Airtel is the real number one network in India.

Also Read: Idea Cellular New Postpaid Plan - Unlimited Calling & 1GB/Day @ ₹399

Xiaomi has adopted a new strategy and thus launched selfie-centric smartphones Redmi Y1 and Redmi Y1 Lite targeting the youth of India. Until now, the Chinese handset maker offered all the features as a complete package.

Selfie Phone on Budget:

Though Xiaomi has a big product line to its credit, it never attempted to serve the selfie enthusiasts. The newly launched Xiaomi Redmi Y1 and Redmi Y1 Lite smartphones are exclusively meant for selfie lovers.

In fact, these handsets are nothing new but rebranded India version of Redmi Note 5A which are currently marketed in its home country as Redmi Note 5A. Apart from the launch of Redmi Y series, Xiaomi has also rolled out MIUI 9 Global ROM for its popular line up including Redmi Note 4, Mi MIX 2 and Mi Max 2.

With respect to the today’s launch, Xiaomi has made a good attempt to try something different under the ₹10K price segment. As per the first impressions, Redmi Y1 is truly the best selfie smartphone in ₹10K price segment.

Also Read: Xiaomi Mi A1, the Flagship Android One Phone with Dual Camera at ₹14999

Xiaomi Redmi Y1 Specifications:

Regarding the specifications, Redmi Y1 sports a 5.5-inch HD 720X1280 pixels display with Corning Gorilla Glass on top. Sadly, it has got all-plastic body but beautiful enough to hold and use it. Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 processor and 3GB RAM, it has an inbuilt storage capacity of 32GB expandable up to 128GB via microSD card slot.

As specified the biggest highlight is its 16-megapixel front camera having f/2.0 aperture. With its LED selfie-light, one can take better selfies even in low-light conditions. The Beautify 3.0 and selfie-countdown makes it more appealing. The Xiaomi Redmi Y1 packs a 13-megapixel rear camera with f/2.2 aperture, PDAF and dual-LED flash.

The face recognition and 1080p video recording make Redmi Y1 a good camera phone. However, the Redmi Y1 Lite packs just a 13-megapixel rear camera and 5-megapixel front camera. Though it is powered by 3080mAh battery, the handset is geared to provide a talk-time of 32 hours and standby of 10 days.

Following its old traditions, the handset supports 2 SIM cards through hybrid SIM tray. Strangely, the Redmi Y1 Lite sports a dedicated microSD card slot. It’s cool to note that the handset will receive MIUI 9 update within a month of its release.

Starting 8th November, the Xiaomi Redmi Y1 and Redmi Y1 Lite will be available online (both Amazon India and Mi India) and offline stores as well. It’s priced at ₹6999 and ₹8999 respectively. Apart from 3GB-32GB ROM variant, the Redmi Y1 has also got a top-end variant 4GB RAM-64GB ROM priced at ₹10,999.

What’s Your Opinion?

As we all know that the selfie-phones market is dominated by OPPO and Vivo. With its affordable price tag, Xiaomi Redmi Y1 is surely the best selfie-phone. If you are on tight budget, then you can’t go wrong with it.

Also Read: OPPO F5 to Launch in 3 Variants with AI-Powered Selfie Features

By balancing the ergonomics and performance, Xiaomi Redmi Y1 can be termed as a mish-mash of Redmi 4A (body) and Redmi 4 (hardware). Truly, a selfie phone on budget!

Interestingly, Mi has signed-up Katrina Kaif as its brand ambassador for its new series Redmi Y1.

The leading telecom network operator Bharti Airtel revised its popular ₹349 tariff plan to counter the new entrant Reliance Jio. Now, Airtel is offering free outgoing calls in roaming and 100 SMS per day.

As per the industry experts, this is a much-needed revision to stay in the business. Till now, the ₹349 plan offers unlimited local and STD calls and daily 1GB of 4G/3G data with a validity of 28 days.

Revised Airtel ₹ 349 Plan:

With the latest update, the ₹349 tariff plan now offers unlimited voice calls (local and STD), free outgoing calls in roaming, daily 1GB 4G/3G data and 100 SMS per day. All the benefits come with a validity of 28 days.

Incidentally, Bharti Airtel has been offering the same benefits with ₹399 plan valid for 84 days. However, this is limited to certain subscribers who are on 4G handset with 4G SIM in. This plan was launched to directly compete with Reliance Jio.

Differential Pricing by Bharti Airtel:

That said, if you own a 4G handset then ₹399 plan with 84 days validity gives an ultimate experience without changing the network. However, Reliance Jio’s unlimited voice calls during roaming had an advantage. But with the latest revision, Bharti Airtel is giving a tough fight to Reliance Jio.

By including free outgoing roaming and 100 SMS per day, Bharti Airtel has modified other unlimited plans including ₹399, ₹499, and ₹549. The telecom company is offering variable pricing ₹399 plan with a validity of 70 days to some users and 84 days for others. However, it is to be noted that the subscriber gets unlimited local and STD calls, daily 1GB 4G/3G data, and 100 SMS per day with a variation in validity period.

If you recharge with ₹499 plan, Airtel will offer unlimited local, STD and Landline calls and 1.25GB data per day (only on 4G handset with 4G SIM) or 2GB 4G/3G data for a period of 28 days.

Impact on Telecom Industry:

Similarly, the Airtel ₹549 tariff plan offers unlimited local and STD calls, free outgoing roaming calls, daily 2GB 4G/3G data, and 100 SMS per day for a period of 28 days.

Idea Cellular has also launched a similar prepaid plan - ₹357 tariff showering the same benefits. Hope these moves will add new subscribers for the incumbent telecom operators. It is quite evident that the recent price hike initiated by Reliance Jio is a breather.

Also Read: Airtel Mera Pehla 4G Smartphone, Karbonn A40 Indian at ₹1399