Vodafone, BSNL launch offers with more data, free voice calls

MUMBAI: The tariff war between telecom operators intensified on Monday after Vodafone India and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited ( BSNL) introduced plans with more data and free voice calls for mid- to high-segment post-paid and pre-paid customers, respectively, in a bruising battle to retain subscribers in the wake of Reliance Jio Infocomm’s entry and aggressive pricing from rivals Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular.

Vodafone India said in a statement that it will offer 3G/4G data and unlimited local and STD voice calls across all networks for its postpaid customers starting at Rs 499, while state-run BSNL announced a plan offering free local and STD calls for three months at Rs 439, becoming the latest one to join the price war.

Vodafone India will offer 3GB data for 4G users, 1GB of non-4G data, 100 free text messages, unlimited local and STD calls and free incoming on national roaming for Rs 499. The telco will offer 5 GB non-4G data and 8 GB 4G data with free calling, 100 free text messages and free incoming national roaming for Rs 999. The telecom operator has already launched more data with free call packs for pre-paid users. The number two carrier will also offer free outgoing on national roaming.