Airtel, Vodafone, Idea hikes 2G data rates by over 25%

While 2G data charges have been hiked, 3G data charges will remain unchanged or might even be reduced.

Three major telecom operators in India - Airtel, Vodafone and Idea - have hiked their 2G data rates across all their major circles. This is the second time in less than a year that the telecom operators have hiked the mobile data tariffs.

All the three telecos are now offering the 1 GB pack, which used to cost Rs 99, for Rs 125 across all their major circles. The 2 GB unlimited pack, offered by both Airtel and Idea, is now priced at Rs 199 against its earlier price of Rs 149. In April 2012, the three operators had also reduced the data cap on the Rs 99 pack from 2 GB to 1 GB in most circles.

However, there is no change in unbundled data usage which continues to be charged at 10 paise per 10 KB.

While 2G data charges have been hiked, 3G data charges will remain unchanged or might even be reduced as 3G adoption has remained dismal in the country. On the other hand, 2G data adoption has increased by almost 300 per cent in the last one year, according to reports.

BSNL Hikes Unlimited Local and STD Call Plans Tariff

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has increased the tariff of prepaid Unlimited own net local and STD call plans by 14% approx.  The new tariff will affect those consumers who are using the BSNL’s Unlimited plans to call on BSNL networks priced at Rs.30 to Rs.500.

BSNL’s Unlimited own net call STV of Rs. 30 which offers unlimited own-network local / STD calling valid for 1 day will now be available for Rs.34. While UL STV Rs.150 with validity of 7 days will now be available at Rs.164. The UL STV of Rs.300 providing Unlimited local Own-network calls with 30 days validity is now increased to Rs.344. And Unlimited STV of Rs.500 which is offering unlimited local / STD Own-Network calls for 30 days will now cost Rs.574 effective from 10th January 2013.

BSNL has also announced 2 new longer validity unlimited calling plan / STVs priced at Rs.894 and Rs.1494 with validity of 90 days. New STV of Rs.894 offers unlimited local BSNL to BSNL calls and STV of Rs.1494 offers unlimited local / STD BSNL to BSNL calls.These new STVs available in all circles from 10th January, 2013.