Airtel Rs 199 prepaid plan replaces the popular Rs 189 voice-only pack. Check benefits, features, and how to update to the new entry-level plan.
Bharti Airtel, one of India’s leading telecom operators, has quietly revised its prepaid offerings, delisting the popular Rs 189 voice-only plan from its website and mobile app. With this move, the Rs 199 prepaid recharge plan has emerged as Airtel’s new entry-level plan for prepaid users across the country.
Why the Rs 189 Plan Was Popular
The Rs 189 plan was particularly favored by users who relied primarily on voice calls. Its main audience included:
Senior citizens needing basic calling services.
Rural customers with limited internet usage.
Users with secondary SIMs dedicated to calling.
Budget-conscious or low-income customers.
The Rs 189 plan offered:
Unlimited voice calls.
28-day validity.
No bundled data or digital services.
Its popularity stemmed from its simplicity and affordability. However, with its discontinuation, many users now have to switch to data-inclusive plans that come at a slightly higher cost.
also read:- Realme GT 7 Pro Gets Huge Rs 15,000 Discount Ahead of GT 8 Pro Launch: Price, Specs, and Where to Buy
What the Rs 199 Prepaid Plan Offers
The new Rs 199 plan includes a mix of calling, SMS, and data benefits, making it Airtel’s standard base plan. Key features include:
Unlimited voice calls.
100 SMS per day.
2GB of data for 28 days.
Free Hello Tunes.
12-month subscription to Perplexity Pro AI.
While these features provide additional value, users who primarily need a low-cost calling plan may find the extra benefits unnecessary.
Why Airtel Discontinued Voice-Only Plans
Industry experts suggest that this is part of a broader trend in the Indian telecom sector. The reasons include:
Promoting Data Usage: Smartphone penetration is increasing, and telecom providers aim to shift users toward data-driven services.
Higher Revenue Potential: Data-inclusive plans generate higher average revenue per user (ARPU), helping operators cover rising network costs.
Market Trend Alignment: Competitors like Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea have already phased out pure voice plans in recent years.
Challenges for Certain User Groups
Although data-inclusive plans benefit smartphone users, this shift poses challenges for some:
Low-income individuals who prefer affordable plans.
Senior citizens or older adults who only need basic calling.
Users in rural areas with limited internet connectivity.
Feature phone owners seeking cost-effective calling options.
How to Update to the Rs 199 Plan
Existing Airtel prepaid users can migrate to the Rs 199 plan via:
Airtel’s official website.
MyAirtel App.
Retail stores and authorized recharge outlets.
This move signals a clear push by Airtel toward digital services and data-driven plans, in line with industry trends. Users who previously relied on voice-only plans will need to adapt to these new offerings, which combine calling with internet and digital benefits.
For More Hindi News: http://newz24india.com