Bharti Airtel just pulled a fast one on millions of budget-conscious users. Without any formal announcement, India’s second-largest telecom operator has silently discontinued its ₹189 voice-only prepaid plan, forcing users to shell out more even if they don’t need data. Here’s what this means for your wallet.
Table of Contents
What has changed in Airtel Plans?
| Feature | Old ₹189 Plan | New ₹199 Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ₹189 | ₹199 |
| Validity | 21 days | 28 days |
| Voice Calls | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Data | 1GB total | 2GB total |
| SMS | 300 total | 100/day (2,800 total) |
| Daily Cost | ₹9 | ₹7.10 |
| Status | Discontinued | Active |
Who Gets Hit Hardest by This Move?
The removal targets a specific demographic that relied on affordable voice-centric plans. The ₹189 plan was highly utilized by people who relied mainly on voice calls, especially senior citizens, rural users, secondary SIM users, and low-income customers who didn’t need data benefits.
Telecom industry analysts believe this step is part of India’s ongoing data-focused tariff shift, with all operators gradually discontinuing voice-only plans to push customers toward data packs. It’s a clear signal: the era of voice-only plans is ending.
Breaking Down Airtel’s New Entry-Level ₹199 Plan
The Airtel ₹199 plan offers unlimited voice calls, 100 SMS per day, and 2GB of data with a validity of 28 days. While you’re paying ₹10 more, you’re getting significantly better value—7 extra days of validity and double the data.
However, here’s the catch: Once the 2GB data quota is reached, charges will be levied at ₹0.50 per MB. For users who never wanted data in the first place, this feels like paying for features they won’t use.
Additional perks include:
- Free Airtel Hellotunes (change one tune every 30 days)
- Perplexity Pro AI subscription worth ₹17,000 for 12 months
- Access to Airtel Thanks app benefits
What Are Your Alternatives Now?
If the ₹199 plan doesn’t suit your needs, here are the next options:
₹219 Plan (28 days): Unlimited calls, 3GB data, 300 SMS total ₹249 Plan (24 days): Unlimited calls, 1GB daily data, 100 SMS/day ₹299 Plan (28 days): Unlimited calls, 1GB daily data, 100 SMS/day
For comprehensive coverage of telecom plan updates and mobile recharge strategies, check out our dedicated section.
The Bigger Picture: India’s Telecom Transformation
This isn’t just about one plan disappearing. India’s telecom landscape is undergoing a fundamental shift. Both Reliance Jio and Airtel are systematically phasing out voice-only plans to improve their Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) and capitalize on India’s growing data consumption.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has been monitoring pricing strategies, but operators have significant autonomy in designing their tariff structures. This move aligns with industry-wide efforts to monetize data services more aggressively.
Should You Switch to Another Operator?
Before you rush to port out, consider that other operators are following similar strategies. Reliance Jio also offers limited voice-only options, and Vi (Vodafone Idea) is restructuring its portfolio as well.
Key considerations:
- Network quality in your area
- Actual data consumption habits
- Long-term plan value versus short-term cost
- Additional OTT benefits you might actually use
Expert Take: Is This Fair to Budget Users?
While the new ₹199 plan technically offers better value per day (₹7.10 vs ₹9), it forces an upfront payment increase of 5.3%. The discontinuation means users will pay more, even if they might not need mobile data.
For elderly users and those on fixed incomes, every rupee counts. The lack of transparency—quietly removing plans without announcement—adds to consumer frustration and erodes trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still recharge with ₹189 if I have the old plan?
No, the ₹189 plan has been completely removed from Airtel’s website and app as of November 2025. All users must now choose from the revised plan portfolio starting at ₹199. If you previously had this plan, you’ll need to select a new option when your current validity expires. The change affects all circles across India.
Is the ₹199 plan actually better value than the old ₹189 plan?
Mathematically, yes—the ₹199 plan offers better value with 28 days validity (vs 21 days), double the data (2GB vs 1GB), and significantly more SMS (2,800 vs 300). The daily cost drops to ₹7.10 from ₹9. However, for pure voice users who never needed data, you’re still paying 5.3% more upfront for features you may not use, making it subjectively worse for that specific user segment.
