Reliance Jio has withdrawn its 1GB/day prepaid packs online but continues to offer the most competitive plans compared with Airtel and Vodafone Idea. Jio’s ₹299 and ₹349 plans provide higher data limits at lower prices, keeping it the cheapest option for voice and data users.
Jio Withdraws 1GB/Day Packs
Earlier this week, Reliance Jio quietly removed its 1GB/day prepaid packs from online recharge platforms. Analysts see this as part of a broader tariff rationalisation strategy, while Jio continues to dominate entry-level and mid-range prepaid plans.
Affordable Plans for Voice-First Users
Jio’s ₹189 plan remains unchanged, offering unlimited voice, SMS, and 2GB data over 28 days. This plan targets voice-focused users in rural and semi-urban markets, where Airtel and Vi don’t provide a direct equivalent.
Data Plans That Beat Competition
For data-focused customers, Jio maintains a clear pricing advantage:
- ₹299 plan: 1.5GB/day for 28 days, compared to Airtel and Vi’s ₹349 packs, saving ₹50/month.
- ₹349 plan: 2GB/day for 28 days, undercutting Airtel’s ₹398 plan and Vi’s ₹365 pack, saving ₹49 vs Airtel and ₹16 vs Vi.
| Plan (Data/Day) | Validity | Jio | Airtel | Vi | Saving with Jio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 GB/day | 28 days | ₹299 | ₹349 | ₹349 | ₹50 |
| 2 GB/day | 28 days | ₹349 | ₹398 | ₹365 | ₹49 (vs Airtel), ₹16 (vs Vi) |
Analysts Highlight Jio’s Advantage
Jefferies notes that most Jio subscribers opt for 56/84-day plans, showing preference for longer validity packs. BNP Paribas highlights that even with price alignment among operators, Jio offers higher data at the same cost, such as the annual ₹3,599 plan giving 2.5GB/day vs 2GB/day for Airtel and Vi.
Strategy Behind the Changes
The removal of 1GB/day packs reflects Jio’s strategy to simplify its portfolio and increase ARPU while continuing to provide value on core prepaid plans. Customers still benefit from higher data limits at competitive prices, reinforcing Jio’s position as the cheapest option in the market.
