Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel Hang Up on 1 GB Starter Packs

Exit clears path for 10-15% tariff hikes this year

- GULVEEN AULAKH

Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, India's top two telecom service providers by subscribers, have withdrawn their entry-level 1 gigabyte (GB)-per-day plans for new customers, effectively raising minimum tariffs.

Industry executives and analysts said the recalibration could set the stage for fresh tariff hikes, with some expecting increases of up to 15 per cent this year.

"The demand for 1 GB plans has been falling ever since 5G services were introduced, as consumers end up using more data and upgrading to larger plans," a senior industry executive said.

On Tuesday, Jio removed its ₹249 plan (1 GB per day, 28-day validity) from its website, MyJio app, and third-party recharge platforms. The plan remains available at Jio Stores but not for new subscribers, raising the entry-level tariff for them to ₹299 per month with 1.5 GB per day. A senior executive added that Airtel would follow suit.