Airtel Discontinues Affordable Plans, Telecom Tariff Hike Expected
Airtel Discontinues Affordable Plans, Telecom Tariff Hike Expected
IN · Published Aug 14, 2026
Bharti Airtel has discontinued its entry-level prepaid plans priced at ₹299, signaling a potential increase in mobile tariffs across the telecom sector.
According to a report by Jagran, this move is expected to lead to a rise in average revenue per user (ARPU) by ₹50 per recharge.

Impact & Risks

The tariff hike could impact millions of mobile users in India, particularly those relying on affordable plans. While it may improve the financial health of telecom companies, it could also strain household budgets, especially for low-income users. The move is seen as necessary for telecom operators to fund 5G infrastructure and enhance network quality. However, it may lead to reduced customer retention for companies like Airtel, Jio, and Vi if users find the new pricing unaffordable.

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