India's Independence Day brings grand celebrations across the nation each year, but it is also the time when there are some incredible sales everywhere. With that spirit in mind, the state-run telco BSNL has introduced two new ultra-affordable tariffs dubbed under "Freedom Prepaid Plans" as its struggle to take on the newbie Reliance Jio continues.
BSNL is offering 2GB data per day in both of its new plans priced at Rs 9 and Rs 29. The former plan offers 2GB data along with unlimited voice calling and 100 SMS for a period of 1 day. Once the user exhausts the 2GB limit, the speed will be throttled to 80 kbps.
If customers are looking for longer validity, the Rs 29 plan comes to the rescue. With a total validity of 7 days, BSNL offers 2GB data per day along with unlimited calls and 100 SMS per day for Rs 29. Both Freedom Plans come with free Personalised Ringback Tune (PRBT) facility, but the unlimited calling facility does not apply to Delhi and Mumbai.
It is worth mentioning that both plans are part of a promotional offer. Customers can start availing them starting August 10 but the offer ends on August 25. According to TelecomTalk, if a subscribed plan extends beyond August 25, the customer will automatically be downgraded to 1GB data per day plan.
Despite these restrictions, these prepaid plans are a steal for those who are on BSNL's network and on short-term plans. At the same time, BSNL beats Reliance Jio's best low-cost prepaid plans under Rs 30.
Reliance Jio's cheapest plan at Rs 19 offers 150MB data per day with unlimited calls, 20 SMS and complimentary access to MyJio apps for a period of 1 day. The next plan is priced at Rs 52, which gives 1.05GB data per day along with unlimited calling and 70 SMS free for a period of 7 days.
In comparison, BSNL's two new Freedom Plans are far superior to what Reliance Jio currently offers. But the only benefit with Reliance Jio is that it offers data at 4G speed whereas BSNL is still on a 3G network.
