Highlights

• Airtel has removed the Rs. 799 prepaid plan and increased the price of the Rs. 859 plan to about Rs. 899.
• The 84-day plan now costs more, which reduces affordable long-term options for users.
• This price hike will likely increase expenses for budget-conscious users.

Bharti Airtel has updated its prepaid plans, removing the popular Rs. 799 plan and raising the price of the Rs. 859 plan to about Rs. 899. This change marks a clear shift in the company’s pricing approach.

This change is part of a larger trend in the telecom industry, where companies are raising prices to boost revenue and support 5G investments.

What Has Changed in Airtel Plans?

The main change is that the Rs. 799 prepaid plan, which offered long-term benefits, is no longer available. Also, the Rs. 859 plan now costs more, making long-term recharges pricier for users.

The updated Rs. 899 plan continues to offer:

• 84 days validity
• 5GB data per day
• Unlimited voice calling
• 100 SMS per day

With this change, Airtel’s lowest-priced 84-day plan now costs more, leaving users with fewer affordable long-term options.

Why Are Prices Increasing?

The price increase aligns with industry predictions of 16 to 20 per cent tariff hikes by 2026, mainly due to higher operating costs and significant investments in 5G.

Telecom companies are working to raise their average revenue per user (ARPU), a measure of market profitability.

Impact on Common Users

For regular users, especially those who depend on budget or long-term plans, the effects are immediate. With the Rs. 799 plan gone and the Rs. 859 plan now more expensive, users will see:

• Higher monthly and quarterly spending
• Fewer affordable long-term recharge options
• Increased financial burden on budget-conscious users

Anyone who prefers 84-day plans will now need to pay at least Rs. 899, making mobile service a bit more costly.

Over time, even a Rs. 40 to Rs. 100 increase per recharge can add up, raising yearly costs for families, especially those with several mobile connections.

Industry-Wide Ripple Effect

Airtel’s decision may prompt competitors like Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea to make similar price changes, as telecom pricing in India often follows the lead of others.

Experts think this could be the start of a wider round of price hikes across the industry in 2026.

What Should Users Do?

Users might need to review how they use their phones and pick plans more carefully. In some cases, short-term plans or bundled yearly packs could offer better value, depending on what you need.

Airtel’s latest changes show a clear move toward higher prices in India’s telecom sector. While this helps support network growth and 5G, it also means affordable mobile service is getting a bit more expensive for everyday users.

Also Read –

https://www.mymobileindia.com/airtels-new-tariff-hike-higher-costs-for-basic-phone-users/

https://www.mymobileindia.com/telcos-ring-in-tariff-hikes-to-complement-the-relief-package-outlook-for-telecom-services-sector-revised-to-stable-from-negative-icra/