Telecom Company, Bharti Airtel, providing 3G services across 21 telecom service recently said to offer 70 % cut prices of its third-generation 3G mobile data services under some plans, in wake of a direct move to boost usage of the services in the country which allow faster Internet on phones and video calls.
This price slash move that may change market dynamics also brought by leading mobile phone companies that have announced mobile tariffs could go up by 100% if the government accepts Trai‘s proposals.
“Volume based browsing rate on 3G down from 10 paise per 10kb to 3 paise per 10 Kb. This will be applicable for 3G non-pack users with effect from May 17, 2012,” the company said.
As per plan, It has raised data download on existing plans. The special tariff for pre-paid users will starting at Rs 10, providing 30 minutes of internet access on its 3G network with validity of 1 day.
Airtel 3G pre-paid users can also buy 3G high speed Internet service starting Rs 45 for 150 MB for 7 days to Rs 1,500 for 10 Gigabit (GB) to be used for 30 days.
However presently, the company offers 1GB internet usage to its pre- paid users for Rs 98 which is valid for 30 days. Reducing the price for 3G data services on video calls and internet on mobile phones, the company offers plan for those who have not subscribed for 3G service under any special offer and want to use high speed Internet as per their need.
Source said, the company also launched additional data usage plans called smartbytes by which postpaid users can purchase 200 MB of data download capacity for 80 and 1 GB can be bought for Rs 300.
Airtel’s slash 3G rates move will set off new battles in the 3G space even and surely followed by its primary competitors in the GSM space – Vodafone Essar and Idea Cellular soon.
The company has got 3G service in 2010 and since then, it has about 9 million customers who use this facility, but only 25% of these are active data subscribers.
