In a bold move to ring in the New Year, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has announced an enticing upgrade to its long-term prepaid plan, directly challenging Reliance Jio’s latest promotional offer. BSNL has extended the validity of its popular 395-day plan by an extra month—bringing the total validity to 425 days—without any additional cost to users. With this update, customers can now keep their SIM active for a full 14 months, making it one of the most competitive prepaid offers currently available in the telecom market. The state-run telecom operator shared the news through its official handle on X (formerly Twitter).
BSNL’s Rs 2,399 Plan – Key Features and Benefits
BSNL’s special New Year offer applies to its Rs 2,399 prepaid plan, which now provides users with a whopping 425 days of validity. The promotional deal kicks off on January 16, 2025, and will be available for a limited period, ending on January 31, 2025. Here’s a detailed look at what the plan offers:
- Unlimited Calling: Enjoy truly unlimited calls across any network in India.
- 2GB Daily Data: Users receive 2GB of high-speed data per day, amounting to a total of 850GB over the plan’s duration. Post the daily limit, data usage continues at a reduced speed of 40kbps.
- 100 Free SMS Daily: The plan also offers 100 SMS per day, covering both local and national messages.
- Nationwide Roaming: Customers benefit from free national roaming, ensuring seamless connectivity across the country.
This offer places BSNL in a strong position to attract long-term users who seek extended validity and consistent benefits at a competitive price point.
Reliance Jio’s New Year Offer
Meanwhile, Reliance Jio has also launched a New Year special, offering its own compelling prepaid plan. Priced at Rs 2,025, Jio’s plan provides a validity of 200 days, along with:
- 2.5GB Daily Data
- Unlimited Calling
- 100 Free SMS Daily
- Free National Roaming
Jio’s New Year promotion will remain available until January 11, 2025. While the plan offers higher daily data (2.5GB vs. BSNL’s 2GB), its validity is significantly shorter at 200 days compared to BSNL’s 425 days, making BSNL’s offer more appealing for users seeking long-term benefits.
TRAI Issues Warning on Fraudulent Recharge Scams
In the wake of these New Year promotions, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a warning to mobile users regarding fraudulent recharge scams. Reports indicate that scammers are sending SMS messages falsely claiming to offer free recharge benefits, posing as TRAI officials. TRAI has clarified that it does not promote or offer any such schemes and advises users to remain vigilant and avoid falling prey to such deceptive tactics.