Airtel Rs 199 Prepaid Plan: Key Benefits and Steps to Recharge

Bharti Airtel, one of India’s leading telecom operators, has updated its prepaid offerings by removing the Rs 189 voice-only plan from its website and app. With this change, the Rs 199 prepaid plan has become Airtel’s new base recharge option for prepaid users in India. While the new plan includes additional benefits like data and SMS, it affects subscribers who primarily relied on low-cost voice calling packs.

Discontinuation of the Rs 189 Voice-Only Plan

The Rs 189 plan was popular among users who needed only voice calling services, particularly:

• Senior citizens

• Rural subscribers

• Secondary SIM users

• Budget-conscious customers

This plan offered unlimited calling without any data or additional digital features, making it a simple and economical option. Its removal pushes users toward pricier plans with data bundles, even if they do not require internet services.

Why the Rs 189 Plan Was Popular

Non-data calling plans remain in demand in India because they cater to specific user groups:

• Elderly users who use phones mainly for calls

• Rural users with limited internet usage

• Secondary SIM holders who need a backup phone number

• Cost-sensitive subscribers

The Rs 189 plan addressed these needs by providing:

• Unlimited voice calls

• 28-day validity

• No bundled data or digital benefits

With its discontinuation, these users now have fewer low-cost options and may have to pay more than necessary for services they don’t use.

Features of the New Rs 199 Prepaid Plan

The Rs 199 plan is Airtel’s new entry-level prepaid recharge option and offers a combination of voice, SMS, and data services:

• Unlimited voice calls

• 2GB data for 28 days

• 100 SMS per day

• Free Hello Tunes

• 12-month subscription to Perplexity Pro AI

While these added features provide more value for smartphone users, customers looking for simple calling plans may find them unnecessary.

Reasons Behind the Shift to Data Plans

Industry experts suggest that the phase-out of voice-only plans is part of a broader trend in the Indian telecom market:

1. Rising data usage: With smartphones becoming ubiquitous, operators aim to shift users toward digital services and mobile data.

2. Higher revenue from data: Data-inclusive plans increase the average revenue per user (ARPU), which is crucial for telecom firms managing rising network costs.

3. Market trends: Competitors like Jio and Vodafone Idea have also discontinued pure voice plans in recent years, reflecting a shift in industry strategy.

Impact on Users

Although the change may benefit smartphone users who regularly use data, it poses challenges for certain segments:

• Low-income customers seeking affordable calling options

• Rural populations with limited internet access

• Senior citizens and older adults

• Feature phone users who rely on basic calling services

• Budget-conscious users who do not want expensive recharges

These users may now be forced to choose plans with unnecessary data bundles, increasing their monthly telecom expenses.

How to Update to the Rs 199 Plan

Subscribers can migrate to the new Rs 199 plan easily via:

• Airtel app

• Official Airtel website

• Recharge portals and retail outlets

The plan automatically becomes the default base recharge option for prepaid users following the Rs 189 plan’s removal.

Conclusion

The discontinuation of Airtel’s Rs 189 voice-only plan marks a significant shift toward data-inclusive prepaid plans in India. While the Rs 199 plan provides additional benefits like SMS, data, and AI subscriptions, it may not suit users seeking simple, low-cost calling options. This transition reflects a broader industry trend of encouraging digital adoption and increasing ARPU, though it may affect elderly, rural, and budget-conscious subscribers who rely on basic voice services.