Vi, the popular telecom operator in India, has made a significant change that is bound to affect its budget-conscious users. The company has recently reduced the validity of its most affordable plan, which costs less than ₹100. This plan, widely popular among prepaid users, now offers reduced validity, going from 14 days to just 10 days. Let’s take a detailed look at the changes and what users can expect from this newly updated plan.
Vi Cuts Validity of ₹98 Plan to 10 Days
Vodafone Idea (Vi), known for offering affordable mobile plans, has announced a major change to its ₹98 prepaid plan. Previously, users enjoyed 14 days of validity with this plan. However, the telecom giant has now slashed its validity to just 10 days. This move directly impacts users who rely on budget-friendly options to stay connected. As a result of this change, customers will need to recharge approximately three times a month to keep their numbers active, increasing the overall cost of using this plan.
The ₹98 plan was previously one of the most cost-effective prepaid options, providing a combination of limited data and unlimited calling benefits. This was seen as a popular choice for many users who needed basic services without spending much. However, with the new validity reduction, this plan will now cost users about ₹294 every month, compared to ₹196 for the previous setup. This change can be a considerable shift for users who were accustomed to the longer validity period.
Key Benefits of Vi’s ₹98 Plan
Despite the validity reduction, Vi’s ₹98 prepaid plan continues to offer several key benefits that make it an attractive option for budget-conscious users. The plan includes:
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200MB of Data: The plan offers 200MB of data, which is suitable for light internet usage such as browsing and social media.
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Unlimited Voice Calling: Users still get the benefit of unlimited voice calling across all networks.
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No Outgoing SMS: However, this plan does not include any outgoing SMS benefits.
Even with the reduced validity, this plan remains one of the cheapest prepaid options offered by Vi and is available in almost all circles across India. It remains a popular choice for users who don’t require heavy data usage but need to stay connected with voice calls.
How the Reduced Validity Affects Vi Users
The reduction in validity means that users will have to recharge more frequently. Previously, with a 14-day validity, users could top up their account once every two weeks. Now, with only 10 days of validity, they will need to recharge three times a month to keep their number active, which increases their overall monthly expenditure.
The total cost for users opting for this ₹98 plan would now amount to approximately ₹294 per month. While this still remains relatively affordable, the fact that users need to recharge more frequently could be an inconvenience for those who prefer longer validity periods.
Vi’s Alternative Plans Under ₹200
For users who might find the ₹98 plan too limiting due to the reduced validity, Vi offers several other prepaid plans priced under ₹200. These plans offer a better combination of data, validity, and additional benefits. Let’s take a closer look at some of these alternatives:
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Vi ₹155 Plan: This plan offers 1GB of data, unlimited calling across all networks, and 300 SMS. The validity of this plan is 20 days, which is a considerable improvement over the ₹98 plan. It is a suitable option for users who need more data and a longer validity period.
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Vi ₹179 Plan: The ₹179 plan provides users with 1GB of data, unlimited voice calls, and 300 SMS. This plan has a validity of 24 days, offering a better overall value compared to the ₹98 plan with its reduced validity.
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Vi ₹189 Plan: With the ₹189 plan, users get 1GB of data, unlimited voice calls, and 300 SMS. The validity for this plan is 26 days, making it another good alternative for users who need more than just 10 days of service.
The recent change by Vi, reducing the validity of its ₹98 prepaid plan, may come as a surprise to many of its loyal customers. While the plan remains affordable, the reduced validity could force users to reconsider their options, especially for those who prefer less frequent recharges.
Vi’s decision to cut the validity may be an attempt to align its prepaid offerings with changing market dynamics, but it could also push users to explore other options, either within Vi’s own offerings or from competitors. However, for those who still need a cost-effective solution with more benefits, the ₹155, ₹179, and ₹189 plans from Vi could serve as better alternatives with longer validity and additional data.
As users adapt to these changes, they may find themselves rethinking their prepaid plan choices. With the growing demand for more affordable, high-value plans, it remains to be seen how Vi will continue to evolve its prepaid offerings to cater to a wide variety of users.
