Bharti Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom operator, has quietly revised its prepaid portfolio, introducing price changes and discontinuing certain plans. The company has removed its Rs 799 prepaid plan and increased the cost of its Rs 859 plan, which now stands at Rs 899. These changes reflect Airtel’s ongoing strategy of recalibrating tariffs amid rising data consumption and evolving market dynamics.
One of the most notable changes is the price hike of the Rs 859 prepaid plan, which is now available at Rs 899. Earlier, this plan offered 84 days of validity with 2GB of data per day. With the revision, users now get 1.5GB of data per day for 84 days, along with unlimited voice calls and 100 SMS per day.
The earlier Rs 859 plan also included a RewardsMini subscription, which provided cashback of Rs 80 per month at no additional cost. However, this benefit has now been removed, making the revised plan less feature-rich despite the higher price.
Airtel has also discontinued its Rs 799 prepaid plan, which was a popular choice among users seeking affordability and decent data benefits. The plan offered 1.5GB of high-speed data per day for 77 days, along with unlimited calling across India and 100 SMS daily.
With the removal of the Rs 799 plan, customers looking for similar benefits now have fewer options. Users who want 1.5GB per day data for longer validity must now opt for the Rs 899 plan, effectively paying more for comparable services.
For users seeking higher data benefits, Airtel continues to offer its Rs 1,029 prepaid plan. This plan provides 2GB of data per day for 84 days, along with unlimited 5G access, unlimited local, STD, and roaming calls, and 100 SMS per day.
The Rs 1,029 plan also includes a mobile subscription to JioHotstar for three months, adding entertainment value for subscribers.
This is not the first time Airtel has adjusted its pricing. In November 2025, the company removed its Rs 189 entry-level unlimited plan. The new entry-level pricing now starts at Rs 199, indicating a gradual upward shift in tariff structures.
Airtel has also revised its international roaming offerings. A plan previously priced at Rs 4,000 was increased to Rs 4,999 in February this year. This pack comes with a validity of 365 days, offering 5GB of data for international use, 100 minutes of incoming calls, and 100 outgoing SMS.
India has one of the lowest mobile data tariffs globally, despite high consumption rates. Telecom companies like Airtel have been gradually increasing prices to improve average revenue per user (ARPU) and sustain network investments, particularly in 5G infrastructure.
Gopal Vittal, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of Airtel, has previously indicated that there is room for further tariff increases, noting that data services in India remain underpriced compared to even lower-income countries.
The recent changes mean that users will now have to pay more for plans offering similar or even reduced benefits. The removal of bundled perks like cashback further reduces the overall value proposition.
These revisions may also push users toward higher-priced plans, especially those offering additional benefits like 5G access and OTT subscriptions.
Airtel’s latest prepaid plan revisions highlight a broader trend of rising telecom tariffs in India. By increasing prices and restructuring benefits, the company is aiming to balance profitability with growing infrastructure demands. While these changes may strain budgets for some users, they also signal the telecom sector’s transition toward more sustainable pricing models. As competition continues and data consumption rises, further tariff adjustments across the industry may not be far off.