Aircel 3G data card prices slashed

One of the most popular mobile service providers in the country, Aircel have now slashed their 3G data tariffs, following a similar move by other players, like Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular and more recently, Reliance Communications. Aircel is now the fourth telco in the country to have slashed its 3G data tariffs, making the market for 3G services very competitive, just at a time when 4G is making a headway into the country.

As part of the revised plans, Aircel is offering 3G services for its subscribers beginning from Rs. 8 a day to Rs. 997 a month. While, the cheapest plan allows Internet usage at 3.6 Mbps speed up to 50 MB of data download, the Rs. 997 plan gives speeds up to 7.2 Mbps for downloading 10GB of data.

Subscribers to Aircel can now avail for 3G at the following rates: 

Aircel's 3G plans

Bharti Airtel 

Airtel's lowest costing plan now offers 30 minutes of high speed internet browsing for Rs. 10 against its earlier offering of 10 MB at the same rate. It has raised data download on existing plans. For instance, on a recharge of Rs. 100, prepaid customers will now get 300 MB of data download against their earlier entitlement of 200 MB. 

Airtel's revised 3G plans

Airtel in an official statement also added that, "Airtel has also introduced Smartbytes additional data usage packs for its postpaid Airtel mobile customers on 3G – thus becoming the first in the market to offer customers with the choice of subscribing to incremental 3G data usage packs. With Airtel 3G Smartbytes, postpaid mobile customers will now be able to continue enjoying uninterrupted access to high speed browsing on their mobile devices even after exhausting their monthly data limits. The Smartbytes additional data usage packs are available in a range of predetermined price options that allow Airtel 3G customers to choose a plan that suits their needs, while avoiding any bill shocks."

Idea Cellular

Idea Cellular, according to an official statement have now followed suit and have announced a reduction in 3G tariffs by a whopping 70 percent. Idea prepaid & postpaid customers will now pay 3p/10 KB of data, a reduction of 70 percent from the earlier levels of 10p/10KB. 

Idea Cellular's revised 3G tariffs

Sashi Shankar, CMO, Idea Cellular stated, "We have been a pioneer in 3G since inception and with these new prices; Idea has brought 3G within the reach of the masses. I am confident that new prices will generate a lot of trial and will drive off take. Our new sachet packs of Rs 10 & HERO-25 are aimed at youngsters who will access high speed internet on-the-go without worrying about the expense."

Reliance Communications

With this plan, if the customer uses 2.5GB, then he gets billed for Rs. 250 as rental and Rs. 300 extra usage (at Rs. 0.2/ MB for 1.5GB)— a total bill of Rs. 550. On a 1GB plan from any other operator, this customer would have been billed for Rs.250 as rental and Rs. 4,500 for extra usage (at Rs. 3/ MB for 1.5GB) – a total bill of Rs. 4,750. My Best plan will save the customer Rs.4,200/ month on just 2.5GB usage and saving will be much higher with higher usage. An official statement further adds that Reliance has the strongest unlimited 3G data plan portfolio starting at just Rs. 750/month and is the only operator to offer unlimited 3G data on the prepaid platform.

Reliance Communications' 3G plans

Announcing the launch of the new 3G tariff plan, Sanjay Behl, Group Head – Brand & Marketing, Reliance Communications Limited said, “We would like our customers to enjoy our superior Reliance 3G network with the best broadband speeds for Internet access and uninterrupted data usage at the most competitive price point across all segments. This will ensure maximum benefits to our valued customers across 333 towns in 13 3G circles.”