Idea cuts data pack rates by up to 45 per cent for prepaid users

NEW DELHI: Idea Cellular, the country’s third largest telecom operator by subscribers, has slashed mobile internet rates for its prepaid customers by up to 45 per cent in what is seen as a bid to attract and retain users ahead of Reliance Jio Infocomm's impending launch.

Idea Cellular, which serves over 175 million subscribers, on Friday said its 4G, 3G and 2G users will now get up to 45 per cent more data benefits on sachet packs below 1 GB. For instance, its 2G data pack priced at Rs 19 offering 75 MB data for three Days, will now offer 110 MB data for three Days – a 45 per cent more value to the customer, for the same price.

Similarly, a 4G/3G data pack for Rs 22 that offers 65 MB data for three Days will now give 90 MB data for three days, which is 38 per cent more data benefit to the customer. Idea offers a wide range of sachet data packs priced between Rs 8 and Rs 225.

The revised data packs are available across all circles starting Friday. Bharti Airtel, the largest telco in the country, had on Thursday slashed data rates effectively by 50 per cent for downloads by prepaid customers between 3 am and 5 am.

“Internet is one of the major drivers of the Indian economy and Digital India. We want to ensure that benefits of Internet are reaped conveniently by every individual,” Sashi Shankar, chief marketing officer at Idea Cellular, said in a statement.