Datawar! BSNL launches Rs 118 plan giving 1GB data; Should you buy or is Reliance Jio better?

The state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is leaving no stone unturned in trying to stay afloat in the telecom market which has been disrupted by Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Jio with its heavy data, unlimited voice calls and many other freebies. Many other telcos like Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular have learned the ways of RJio offers, but to a government-owned company like BSNL, it had to think big something out of the box. State-owned telecom operators do not have the freedom like the private ones to continue using cheap data plans, however, BSNL has prepped up to mark it’s presence with a list of offers. The latest offer announced by BSNL is Rs 118 recharge pack which will compete against RJio’s Rs 98 recharge pack. 

According to telecom talk report, BSNL with Rs 118 plan is offering 1GB data in 3G network for a validity period of 28 days. The company is also offering free PRBT tune (caller ring tones) to its subscriber. Apart from this, the BSNL signature caller tune will automatically get activated for free post recharge of the pack. However, if a user want to opt other ringtone, they will have to pay a nominal fee. 

It needs to be noted that, RJio does not have any 1GB data plan for a validity of 28 days. However, BSNL’s offer can be compared with RJio’s Rs 98 pack which gives 2GB data in 4G network for a period of 28 days. There is free roaming and national calls available in the pack alongside 300 national SMS in home and roaming. 

From the above, it can be argued that RJio still manages to beat this BSNL offer in terms of valuation and data pack. 

However, BSNL recently introduced another recharge pack of Rs 429 which is comparatively better  than what RJio is offering. 

Rs 429 plan of BSNL gives unlimited Local, STD and roaming Calls. It also offers 100 SMS per day.The key highlight of the offer is that it will give 1GB data per day for a validity period of 180 days. Also there are freebies which will be revealed once you recharge the pack, but they are available till 81 days. 

However, the offer is not available in cities like Mumbai and Delhi. Also one important thing is that BSNL gives internet in only 3G network.

With the above offer, BSNL is giving a whopping 180GB data. 

RJio’s Rs 448 pack gives similar unlimited calls and SMS offer like BSNL. However, the company is giving 2GB data per day for a period 84 days in the same pack. Thus, RJio is providing 168GB data.

BSNL is also offering plans like Rs 39, Rs 99, Rs 319 and Rs 349 recharge pack to it’s customers.