Reliance Jio Hikes Tariffs By Up To 39% In New Prepaid Plans

Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. has unveiled new prepaid plans that are up to 39 percent more expensive but “provide 300 percent more benefits”.

The telecom operator claimed that the new plans, which come into effect on Dec. 6, are up to 25 percent cheaper than the new call and data tariff plans rolled out by Airtel and Vodafone Idea, according to the Press Trust of India.

Here's a look at Reliance Jio's new all-in-one prepaid plans:

As per the new tariffs, Jio customers will have to pay Rs 555 for 84-day validity and 1.5 GB of data per day, which is 39 percent higher than the earlier plan of Rs 399 offering same benefits.

The company has raised the price of Rs 153 plan to Rs 199, Rs 198 plan to Rs 249, Rs 299 plan to Rs 349, Rs 349 plan to Rs 399, Rs 448 to Rs 599, Rs 1,699 plan to Rs 2199, and Rs 98 plan to Rs 129.

The Rs 199 plan is valid for a month, which offers 1.5 GB per day, and is about 25 percent cheaper than the plans of Airtel and Vodafone offering similar benefits at about Rs 249.

The tariff hikes by India's three largest telecom firms within a couple of days indicate easing of a price war that started after Ambani, Asia's richest man, entered the sector in 2016.

For Airtel and Vodafone Idea, the costlier prepaid plans would bring in much-needed revenue in the face of record losses and payment of past dues to the government.

On Wednesday, Bharti Airtel disclosed plans to raise up to $3 billion in funds by way of equity and debt. Vodafone Idea, meanwhile, is appealing for urgent relief from the government to help avert a collapse.