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Airtel Follows Jio, Discontinues ₹249 Prepaid Plan; New Entry-Level Starts at ₹299

Telco Adjusts Base-Level Data Offerings

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Bharti Airtel has officially discontinued its ₹249 prepaid recharge plan offering 1 GB per day data, effective from midnight on August 20, 2025, as confirmed via the Airtel Thanks app.


What’s Changed: New Entry-Level Plan

  • The ₹249 plan, popular for its balanced short-term validity (24 days), unlimited calls, and daily data, has now been withdrawn.
  • In its place, the ₹299 plan, offering 1.5 GB per day and 28-day validity, becomes the new cheapest data option for Airtel users.
Airtel Discontinues ₹249 Prepaid Plan
via Airtel Thanks App

Sector Trends: Unified Shift Across Telecom Providers

  • Reliance Jio led the shift by phasing out both the ₹209 and ₹249 plans, positioning its ₹299 pack (1.5 GB/day) as the new entry-level option.
  • Analysts note a broader industry trend underway, with Vodafone Idea expected to follow this pricing realignment.

Market Response and Industry Implications

  • Airtel’s stock reacted positively, rising by over 2%, as investors welcomed the strategic move to raise base revenue per user.
  • This move aligns with telecom operators’ focus on ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) improvements amid elevated infrastructure investments.

What Consumers Should Know

AspectBefore (₹249 Plan)After (₹299 Plan)
Daily Data1 GB1.5 GB
Validity24 days28 days
Minimum Recharge Cost₹249₹299

Airtel subscribers now must recharge with a higher-priced plan to access daily data packages. This marks a notable shift in the prepaid landscape, signaling a push toward higher-value offerings.


Tags: Airtel ₹249 Plan Discontinued, Airtel 1.5GB Plan, Airtel Recharge Update, Telecom News, Bharti Airtel Pricing Change

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Shubham Mishra

Founder and Chief Editor at PaidFreeDroid. Shubham likes to keep on top of the tech world and loves to help people around him who face day to day trouble with technology.

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