Airtel postpaid users will now have to pay ₹50 more every month, but the telecom company is offering a free international roaming benefit in return. The change applies to all postpaid plans, according to the report.
Under the new offer, customers will get one free five-day international roaming pack once a year. The pack includes 5GB of data, 60 minutes of calls and 25 SMS. Customers travelling abroad can use this benefit without paying separately for the roaming pack. All members of an Airtel family plan will also be eligible for the benefit.
However, customers who rarely or never travel abroad may see the move differently. For them, the ₹50 monthly increase means an additional ₹600 a year, while the free roaming benefit may remain unused.
Who gains and who loses?
Frequent international travellers stand to gain if they use the free roaming pack. But customers who stay in India throughout the year may simply face a higher annual bill.
The move also puts Airtel’s postpaid pricing under comparison with rivals Jio and Vi, where customers should compare monthly charges and international roaming benefits before choosing a plan.
