Bharti Airtel, one of India’s leading telecom operators, has officially discontinued its Rs. 249 prepaid recharge plan, a popular entry-level pack among budget-conscious users. The move comes shortly after Reliance Jio withdrew a similar plan, signaling a broader industry trend of phasing out lower-value prepaid recharge options.

With this change, Airtel’s Rs. 299 prepaid plan now becomes the most affordable option for customers who want daily high-speed internet, unlimited calling, and SMS benefits.

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Key Points

Airtel discontinues Rs. 249 prepaid recharge plan.

The plan offered 1GB daily data, unlimited calls, and 100 SMS/day.

Validity was 24 days, making it an entry-level choice for many.

Now replaced by the Rs. 299 prepaid plan with 28-day validity.

Reliance Jio has also discontinued its Rs. 249 plan.

Vodafone Idea (Vi) is the only operator still offering Rs. 249 recharge.

Airtel subscribers also lose bundled Airtel Xstream, Hellotunes, and Perplexity Pro subscription benefits tied to the plan.

Airtel’s Rs. 249 Plan: Benefits That Are Now Gone

The discontinued Rs. 249 prepaid recharge plan was widely popular among users who preferred short-term and affordable recharges. It included:

1GB data per day (high-speed internet).

Unlimited calls across local, STD, and roaming.

100 SMS per day.

24-day validity.

Additionally, the plan bundled attractive extras like live spam alerts, Airtel Xstream content access, 30-day free Hellotunes, and even a 12-month Perplexity Pro subscription (worth Rs. 17,000), thanks to Airtel’s recent AI partnership.

With its removal, subscribers will now have to switch to higher-priced packs to continue enjoying these perks.

Rs. 299 Plan: Airtel’s New Entry-Level Option

Following the discontinuation, Airtel’s Rs. 299 prepaid recharge plan has become the new base plan. It offers nearly identical benefits with a slightly longer 28-day validity, making it more attractive for heavy users:

1GB daily data.

Unlimited calling.

100 SMS per day.

Access to Airtel Thanks benefits, including content subscriptions and spam call alerts.

While the plan costs Rs. 50 more, the additional validity of four days and extended benefits may appeal to users who recharge monthly.

Industry Context: Jio and Vi’s Position

Interestingly, Airtel’s decision mirrors Reliance Jio’s recent move. Jio also discontinued its Rs. 249 plan, which offered 1GB/day for 28 days, shifting its entry-level prepaid option to Rs. 299.

Meanwhile, Vodafone Idea (Vi) remains the only major telecom operator in India still offering the Rs. 249 prepaid recharge plan. However, with rising operational costs and spectrum investments, industry experts believe Vi may also phase out the pack in the near future.

Why Telecom Operators Are Removing Low-Cost Plans

The discontinuation reflects a broader strategy by Indian telecom companies:

Revenue Optimization – By eliminating low-value packs, operators encourage users to upgrade to slightly higher-priced plans.

Network Investment – With the rollout of 5G services, telecom companies require higher revenue per user to fund infrastructure expansion.

Aligning with Competitors – Airtel and Jio often restructure plans in tandem, maintaining competitive parity.

Conclusion

Airtel’s decision to discontinue the Rs. 249 prepaid recharge plan marks the end of one of its most affordable offerings. While customers will now need to pay slightly more with the Rs. 299 plan, they get extended validity and continued access to key benefits.

With Reliance Jio already taking a similar step, and Vodafone Idea still holding on to its Rs. 249 option, the telecom landscape in India is clearly shifting towards higher entry-level pricing for prepaid users. For budget-conscious subscribers, this change could mean rethinking monthly recharge strategies.

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