BSNL has reduced the validity of its ₹147 plan from 30 to 25 days. The price remains the same, but users will now have to recharge more frequently.
BSNL Recharge Plan: Government telecom service provider BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) has made a change that could directly affect millions of its users. While the company is attracting people with very cheap recharge offers like ₹1, it is also quietly reducing the validity of its popular older plans. The latest case involves BSNL's most used ₹147 plan, whose validity has now been reduced. Previously, this plan lasted for 30 days, but now its duration is only 25 days.
What is the ₹147 Plan?
BSNL's ₹147 plan was quite popular among users who wanted calling and data facilities at a low cost. In this plan, users used to get these benefits:
- Unlimited voice calling (local and STD)
- Free national roaming
- 10GB high-speed data
- No SMS benefits
Previously, all these facilities were available with a validity of 30 days, but now the same plan will be valid for only 25 days. This means that users will now get 5 days less service than before, while the price of the plan will remain the same at ₹147.
Why was this decision taken?
BSNL is not officially making any statement regarding this change, but experts connected to the telecom industry believe that the company is now adopting a strategy to increase Average Revenue Per User (ARPU). Under this strategy, the price of the recharge is kept the same, but by reducing the validity, users are forced to recharge more often. Private companies like Airtel and Jio are already using this method.
Such changes have happened before
Even before the ₹147 plan, BSNL has reduced the validity of many of its recharge plans. Some prominent examples:
- ₹99 Plan: Previously the validity was 18 days, now only 15 days.
- ₹197 Plan: Previously lasted 70 days, now reduced to 54 days.
All these reductions clearly indicate that BSNL now wants to keep pace with market trends, where profits can be increased by reducing validity.
Airtel's Competition Plan
While BSNL is reducing the validity of its cheap plans, on the other hand, Airtel has introduced some plans that are especially designed keeping in mind long-term calling users.
₹469 Plan:
- Validity: 84 days
- Unlimited calling
- 900 SMS
- No data
₹1849 Plan:
- Validity: 365 days
- Unlimited calling
- 3600 SMS
- No data
This move by Airtel targets those users who need less internet data but require calling and SMS facilities throughout the year.
What should users do?
BSNL users now have two options:
1. Recharge frequently
If you are satisfied with the existing benefits of the ₹147 plan, then you will have to recharge it every 25 days.
2. Look for other plans with longer validity
BSNL also has some plans in which longer validity is available at a slightly higher price. Users should choose a plan according to their usage.
What does telecom analysis say?
Experts believe that this step by BSNL has been taken in the direction of becoming self-reliant. Since BSNL was constantly incurring losses, the company now wants to move towards profit by improving its ARPU. However, if such cuts continue to happen frequently, it can be disappointing for users, especially those rural and low-income consumers who choose BSNL only for its affordable services.
