India's second-largest telecom operator, Bharti Airtel, has quietly revised its prepaid portfolio, removing one plan and increasing the price of another.
The company has discontinued its Rs 799 recharge plan while raising the cost of its Rs 859 plan to Rs 899, signalling a continued shift in its pricing strategy.
Earlier, the Rs 799 and Rs 859 plans offered 77 days and 84 days of validity, respectively. They also came with daily data benefits of 1.5GB and 2GB. With the latest revision, customers seeking 1.5GB of daily data for 84 days must now opt for the Rs 899 plan. Alternatively, users can choose a higher-priced Rs 1,029 plan for increased data benefits.
What the new Rs 899 plan offers
The revised Rs 899 plan includes 1.5GB of data per day, valid for 84 days. It also bundles unlimited voice calls and 100 SMS per day. However, compared to the earlier Rs 859 plan, the new offering comes with fewer perks.
Previously, the Rs 859 plan included a RewardsMini subscription, which provided a monthly cashback benefit of Rs 80 at no additional cost. This benefit has now been removed, making the revised plan less attractive despite the higher price.
Rs 799 plan discontinued
The now-discontinued Rs 799 plan used to offer 1.5GB of high-speed data per day for 77 days. It also included unlimited calling across India and 100 SMS daily, making it a popular mid-range option for prepaid users. Its removal narrows choices for users looking for slightly shorter validity plans at a lower price point.
Alternative plans for users
For those willing to spend more, Airtel continues to offer the Rs 1,029 prepaid plan. This pack provides 2GB of daily data along with unlimited 5G access for 84 days. It also includes unlimited local, STD, and roaming calls, along with a JioHotstar mobile subscription for three months.
Ongoing tariff revisions
This is part of a broader trend where Airtel has been steadily revising its pricing structure. In November 2025, the company removed its Rs 189 entry-level plan, pushing the base price for unlimited offerings to Rs 199.
More recently, Airtel also increased the price of its international roaming pack from Rs 4,000 to Rs 4,999. This annual pack offers 365 days of validity, including 5GB of international data, 100 incoming call minutes, and 100 outgoing SMS.
Bharti Airtel Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Gopal Vittal has earlier indicated that there is room for tariff hikes, noting that mobile data pricing in India remains significantly lower compared to many global markets, even those with lower per capita income.