India’s second-largest telecom operator, Bharti Airtel, has silently revamped its prepaid tariff portfolio. In a move aimed at rationalizing tariffs and expanding average revenue per user (ARPU), the telco has phased out several mid-tier and budget prepaid options. Most notably, the company has officially retired the widely used ₹299 prepaid plan, which served for years as the default 28-day daily data pack for millions of Indian mobile users.

This restructuring leaves budget-conscious users facing fewer entry-level options for high-speed daily internet. Whether you are a long-time subscriber looking to recharge your number or considering a new SIM, here is everything you need to know about the latest Airtel prepaid plans, the discontinued packs, and the new Airtel cheapest unlimited daily data plan.

Which Popular Airtel Prepaid Plans Have Been Discontinued?

Airtel’s recent catalogue cleanup has removed multiple intermediate plans across different validity brackets. The most prominent removals include:

  • ₹299 Plan (28 Days): Formerly offered unlimited voice calling, 100 SMS/day, and 1.5GB/day data. This was Airtel’s flagship entry-level daily data option.
  • ₹319 Plan (30 Days / 1 Month): Offered 1.5GB/day for a calendar month.
  • ₹579 Plan (56 Days): Offered 1.5GB/day along with unlimited voice and SMS.
  • ₹619 Plan (69 Days): Offered 1.5GB/day data benefits.
  • ₹649 Plan (56 Days): Offered 2GB/day data benefits.
  • ₹799 Plan (77 Days): Offered mid-range daily data benefits.

In addition to discontinuing these packs, Airtel has repriced certain long-term options—for instance, increasing the popular ₹859 plan (84 days, 1.5GB/day) to ₹899. Ultra-budget lump-sum voice plans like ₹199 (2GB total data, 28 days) remain untouched for users who only require voice calling.

Why the Changes Matter for Airtel Users

For regular subscribers, the withdrawal of the ₹299 plan represents an effective tariff hike of approximately 16% to 17%. Instead of an across-the-board headline price revision, Airtel has raised the entry threshold for daily data by removing intermediate price tiers.

  • Old Entry Plan: ₹299 (28 Days, 1.5GB/Day) — Discontinued
  • New Entry Plan: ₹349 (28 Days, 1.5GB–2GB/Day) — Active
  • Net Price Difference: An increase of ₹50 per billing cycle (~16.7% higher)

This change directly affects daily data users, students, gig workers, and budget-conscious consumers who rely on uninterrupted daily allowances without paying extra for premium add-ons.

What is Airtel’s Cheapest Unlimited Daily Data Plan Now?

With the ₹299 pack gone, the ₹349 prepaid plan is officially the cheapest Airtel unlimited daily data plan available across digital channels and retail outlets.

Plan Breakdown: Benefits & Specifications

Feature

Details

Price

₹349

Validity

28 Days

Daily Data Allowance

1.5GB to 2GB/day (depending on circle/pack configuration)

Post-Quota Speed

Unlimited data at throttled speeds of up to 64 Kbps

Voice Calling

Truly unlimited local, STD, and national roaming calls

SMS Allowance

100 SMS per day

Additional Perks

Free Hellotunes, Wynk Music access, Airtel Xstream Play access

Daily 4G Data vs Unlimited 5G: Understanding the Difference

A common source of confusion among telecom users is the distinction between fixed daily allowances and promotional 5G access.

  • Regular Daily Data Allowance (4G/LTE): The base allowance (e.g., 1.5GB or 2GB per day) applies to standard 4G data usage. Once this daily threshold is exhausted, internet speed drops to 64 Kbps until the quota resets at midnight.
  • Unlimited 5G Data (Airtel 5G Plus): Airtel bundles uncapped Unlimited 5G Data on eligible prepaid plans (generally packs offering 2GB/day and above, including the ₹349 tier).
    Condition: Unlimited 5G is only active when your 5G-enabled device is connected to Airtel’s live 5G Plus network.If your phone drops to 4G mode due to indoor coverage or local network handovers, your data consumption is deducted directly from your regular daily data allowance.

Airtel’s Alternatives for Moderate and Heavy Data Users

If 1.5GB or 2GB daily is insufficient for your work-from-home or streaming requirements, Airtel offers several higher-tier alternatives:

  • Airtel ₹399 / ₹409 Plan (28 Days): Provides 2.5GB to 3GB/day, unlimited calls, 100 SMS/day, and bundled streaming subscriptions.
  • Airtel ₹449 Plan (28 Days): Offers 3GB per day along with unlimited 5G access and extended OTT privileges on Airtel Xstream Play.
  • Airtel ₹899 Plan (84 Days): For those seeking longer validity, this repriced pack offers 1.5GB/day, unlimited calls, and 100 SMS/day for roughly three months.
  • Airtel ₹979 Plan (84 Days): Offers 2GB/day, unlimited 5G, and 84 days of continuous connectivity.

Which Airtel Plan Offers the Best Value?

  • For Basic Daily Use: The ₹349 plan remains the most cost-effective option for keeping your daily connection running with reliable voice and data.
  • For Long-Term Savings: The ₹899 (84-day) plan works out to roughly ₹299 per 28 days, matching the monthly cost of the discontinued plan while sparing you from monthly recharges.
  • For High Data Consumption: The ₹449 (3GB/day) or 84-day ₹979 (2GB/day) packs provide the best cost-per-gigabyte ratio, particularly if you frequent areas with consistent 5G coverage.

Things to Check Before Recharging

Telecom tariffs and circle-specific offerings change periodically. Before completing your transaction, keep these quick checks in mind:

  1. Telecom Circle Verification: Certain benefits, OTT bundles, and base daily limits can vary across regional circles (e.g., Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Karnataka, UP East).
  2. Use the Official App: Always check the Airtel Thanks App or the official Airtel website (airtel.in) to confirm the latest plan benefits and exclusive app discounts.
  3. 5G Handset Compatibility: Confirm that your handset supports Airtel's 5G bands (n78/n28) to take advantage of unlimited 5G perks where available.

Final Verdict

The discontinuation of the ₹299 pack marks a noticeable shift in Airtel prepaid recharge plans, nudging customers toward higher-tier packs. While users will have to pay ₹50 more per month for the ₹349 recharge, the combination of unlimited voice, daily data, and 5G network support keeps it competitive for daily smartphone users. If you want to avoid frequent price bumps, choosing a longer validity pack like the ₹899 (84-day) plan may provide the most balanced value for your money.

Also Read: What Is Surrogate Advertising? The Vimal Elaichi Ad Controversy Explained

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Has Airtel completely removed the ₹299 prepaid plan?

Yes. Airtel has discontinued the ₹299 prepaid plan across its official digital channels and retail portals. The ₹349 plan is now the direct entry-level replacement.

2. What is the cheapest Airtel daily data plan right now?

The cheapest Airtel daily data plan with daily renewal limits is the ₹349 pack, which provides 28 days of validity with calling and daily high-speed internet.

3. Can I still get an Airtel recharge under ₹200?

Yes, but only for lump-sum data and voice. Packs like ₹199 provide 28 days of unlimited voice calling and 2GB of total lump-sum data (not daily data).

4. Does the ₹349 plan include unlimited 5G?

Yes, the ₹349 plan is eligible for Airtel's Unlimited 5G promotion in areas covered by the Airtel 5G Plus network.

5. Why are telecom operators phasing out lower-priced plans?

Telecom operators are adjusting pricing architecture to improve Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) and sustain high capital expenditure on 5G network rollouts and infrastructure.