How Vodafone-Idea merger will affect your monthly mobile bill

The tariff war triggered by the entry of Reliance Jio as a new telecom provider in the country last year not only forced other companies to restrategise but also made a few of them consider joining hands to take on the challenge posed by Mukesh Ambani’s new company. The merger of Vodafone and Idea, which was formally announced today, hence, can be read as a Reliance Jio effect. Together, Vodafone-Idea is now the biggest telecom provider with a combined subscriber base of around 40 million. Jio has attracted 10 million subscribers within six months, while the other major challenger Airtel enjoys the subscriber base of around 23 million.

While it is too early to predict as tp how the Vodafone-Idea merger will change the fortunes of both companies that have a combined debt of around Rs 1 lakh crore at present, we can certainly say as to how it will affect your monthly mobile bills now.

Before the launch of Reliance Jio in September last year, we were forced to pay a ridiculous amount for data and voice services. Telecom providers like Airtel, Vodafone and Idea didn’t seem to have any plan to change tariffs for the benefit of the customers. Jio, which made all voice and data services free for the first six months under two different plans, triggered a tariff war.

With the merger of Idea-Vodafone, the tariff war may halt for now as the companies, including Jio, would start making money under a new tariff regime introduced by them respectively.

Here we take a look at approximate mobile bills you may have to pay from April, depending



on your usage and the service provider.

Reliance Jio

If you are a Reliance Jio Prime member, you can get 1 GB 4G data daily a cost of Rs 303 for 28 days. For non-prime members, the company offers a number of plans starting from Rs 49 for three days and goes upto Rs 9999 for 30 days and provides 200 GB data. For prime members, the Rs 9999 plan is valid for a year.

All voice calls on Jio network are free and you don’t have to pay any roaming charges.

Airtel

Airtel is offering a prepaid recharge plan of Rs 345 which gives the users 1GB of 4G data per day, along with free voice calls. However, you can use only 500MB during the day and the rest 500MB during the night.

You need to sign up for this service before March 31 and the recharge will be valid for the next 11 months after the deadline. You need to have a 4G smartphone with 4G support for this service.

Vodafone-Idea

Vodafone recently launched a recharge pack priced at Rs 346 which offers 28GB of data and unlimited voice calls. The service provider has also put a 1GB data cap on free usage, after which the user will be charged. The offer was valid only until 15 March.

At present, Idea Cellular is offering unlimited voice calling and 0.5 GB data per day for 28 days priced at Rs 348.

With the merger of the two companies, one can expect some new lucrative offers.

BSNL

BSNL has launched a new plan that offers 2 GB of 3G data per day and unlimited voice calls within its network for Rs 339. The offer is limited to 90 days.