Key Highlights
- Prices up: Airtel's new postpaid plans cost more, effective Thursday, October 8.
- Individual plan: Up from ₹449 to ₹499 a month.
- New perk: One free international roaming trip per SIM per year, with 5GB data, 60 minutes of calls and 25 SMS for 5 days.
- Family plans: Range up to ₹1,799 for five SIMs, including Netflix Standard.
- Existing users: Current postpaid and prepaid customers can switch to the new plans.
Bharti Airtel has launched new postpaid plans with higher prices, effective Thursday. To soften the increase, the company has added a free international roaming benefit to the plans.
Old vs New Prices
| Plan | Old price | New price | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual (1 SIM) | ₹449 | ₹499 | ~11% |
| Family (2 SIMs) | ₹699 | ₹749 | ~7% |
| Family (3 SIMs) | ₹999 | ₹1,049 | ~5% |
| Family (5 SIMs, with Netflix Standard) | – | ₹1,799 | – |
Percentages calculated from announced prices.
What the Free Roaming Pack Includes
Each SIM gets one free international roaming trip per year, with:
- 5GB data
- 60 minutes of calls
- 25 outgoing SMS and free incoming SMS
- Validity of 5 days
The plans also include unlimited data and calling, and Airtel's spam and fraud protection.
Why It Matters: Family Plans Are the Better Deal
The biggest increase falls on single users, whose plan rises about 11%. Family plans rise less in percentage terms and work out cheaper per SIM:
| Plan | Cost per SIM per month |
|---|---|
| 1 SIM | ₹499 |
| 2 SIMs | ~₹375 |
| 3 SIMs | ~₹350 |
| 5 SIMs | ~₹360 |
For households with several postpaid users, moving to a family plan can offset much of the hike.
The free roaming pack also adds real value for frequent travellers, as international roaming packs usually cost extra. For those who never travel abroad, however, it is a benefit they may not use.
What Airtel Said
Amit Tripathi, Director – Market Operations, said Airtel offers postpaid customers its 5G "Fast Lane" technology, spam and fraud protection, entertainment benefits and now free international roaming. "We are determined to constantly raising the game for customers and give them more and more reasons to choose Airtel Postpaid," he said.
What You Should Do
- Compare your current bill with the new plan prices.
- If several family members use Airtel postpaid, check whether a family plan lowers your total bill.
- Watch whether other operators follow with similar changes.
The Bottom Line
Airtel's postpaid users will pay more from Thursday, but the free roaming trip and lower per-SIM costs on family plans mean the impact depends heavily on how you use your phone.
With inputs from IANS.
Key Highlights
- Prices up: Airtel's new postpaid plans cost more, effective Thursday, October 8.
- Individual plan: Up from ₹449 to ₹499 a month.
- New perk: One free international roaming trip per SIM per year, with 5GB data, 60 minutes of calls and 25 SMS for 5 days.
- Family plans: Range up to ₹1,799 for five SIMs, including Netflix Standard.
- Existing users: Current postpaid and prepaid customers can switch to the new plans.
Bharti Airtel has launched new postpaid plans with higher prices, effective Thursday. To soften the increase, the company has added a free international roaming benefit to the plans.
Old vs New Prices
| Plan | Old price | New price | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual (1 SIM) | ₹449 | ₹499 | ~11% |
| Family (2 SIMs) | ₹699 | ₹749 | ~7% |
| Family (3 SIMs) | ₹999 | ₹1,049 | ~5% |
| Family (5 SIMs, with Netflix Standard) | – | ₹1,799 | – |
Percentages calculated from announced prices.
What the Free Roaming Pack Includes
Each SIM gets one free international roaming trip per year, with:
- 5GB data
- 60 minutes of calls
- 25 outgoing SMS and free incoming SMS
- Validity of 5 days
The plans also include unlimited data and calling, and Airtel's spam and fraud protection.
Why It Matters: Family Plans Are the Better Deal
The biggest increase falls on single users, whose plan rises about 11%. Family plans rise less in percentage terms and work out cheaper per SIM:
| Plan | Cost per SIM per month |
|---|---|
| 1 SIM | ₹499 |
| 2 SIMs | ~₹375 |
| 3 SIMs | ~₹350 |
| 5 SIMs | ~₹360 |
For households with several postpaid users, moving to a family plan can offset much of the hike.
The free roaming pack also adds real value for frequent travellers, as international roaming packs usually cost extra. For those who never travel abroad, however, it is a benefit they may not use.
What Airtel Said
Amit Tripathi, Director – Market Operations, said Airtel offers postpaid customers its 5G "Fast Lane" technology, spam and fraud protection, entertainment benefits and now free international roaming. "We are determined to constantly raising the game for customers and give them more and more reasons to choose Airtel Postpaid," he said.
What You Should Do
- Compare your current bill with the new plan prices.
- If several family members use Airtel postpaid, check whether a family plan lowers your total bill.
- Watch whether other operators follow with similar changes.
The Bottom Line
Airtel's postpaid users will pay more from Thursday, but the free roaming trip and lower per-SIM costs on family plans mean the impact depends heavily on how you use your phone.
With inputs from IANS.