Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular shares slumped after the telecom majors announced cut in their data tariffs, contributing to the stock markets fall with the BSE Telecom index plunging 3.23 per cent on Monday.
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Earlier this week, India’s fastest growing telecom operator had announced the price reduction by 45 percent in its sachet data packs.
The telco announced on Sunday that data benefits for its prepaid subscribers will be increased up to 67 percent.
Jio has said it already has under its preview offer about 1.5 million test-users, with average monthly consumption of each in excess of 26 GB; voice usage is 355 minutes. Reliance Industries’ fell 0.82 per cent to close at Rs 1004.25.
Besides, the new data packs from Idea Cellular touted as sachet packs will offer data below 1GB, priced between Rs. 8 and Rs. 225.
Moreover, 2G/3G/4G sachet packs also see increase in benefits by up to 48 percent.
Idea Cellular is now offering 10 GB 4G, 3G data pack for Rs 990.
The Rs25 2G pack now offers 45 per cent more data at 145 MB versus 100 MB earlier, while the Rs145 4G/3G pack now offers 32 per cent more data benefits at 580 MB vs 440 MB earlier.
Idea has also launched new Freedom Packs, which are low cost data packs starting at just Rs. 35 with 4 weeks’ validity, giving prepaid consumers freedom from multiple recharges and the constant hassle over expiry of plans. Jio is expected to mainly concentrate on broadband.
As of now, YouTube and Fastfilmz Apps have integrated Happy Hours into their products, and Airtel plans to add more partners in the future (timeline not mentioned). The company said the move would enable customers to stay online longer and download more of their favorite content, thereby enriching mobile internet experience. They’ve not cut data prices but raised the benefits in their packs. This is offered for the same price.
Before the launch of Reliance Jio Infocom’s mobile services, other service providers in the country are slashing down their data rates, etc.to prepare themselves for the upcoming battle in the market.
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This, it said, has enabled testing of all the services to customers outside the initial set of test users, and added that the feedback has been encouraging.
