Airtel doles out free data to postpaid subscribers

Mobile operator Bharti Airtel is handing out free high-speed data to its postpaid subscribers for the next three months to counter aggressive offerings by newcomer Reliance Jio.

Airtel is offering up to 30 GB of free data for the next three months for postpaid subscribers logging onto the ‘My Airtel’ app by April 30. For those who have already availed a similar offer by the company last month, 10 GB free data (one month validity) will be up for grabs.

“Now enjoy some free data every month for the next three months... That should cover any long vacation you may have planned,” Bharti Airtel CEO Gopal Vittal said to subscribers.

In addition, Airtel has said that it will offer the value to customers who have not activated the right international roaming pack, before their travel abroad.

Citing an example, Airtel said if a subscriber has not activated a pack before travelling abroad and in case the daily usage exceeds Rs 499, Airtel will automatically activate the Rs 499 pack (that includes unlimited incoming calls, free data, SMS) at no added cost.

If the usage charges are less than Rs 499, the users will only be charged on the rates that are applicable, the email added. Airtel said the move will protect consumers from bill shocks while travelling abroad.

The company is sending out mails in batches to inform all its postpaid customers about the offers.

Over the last few months, Reliance Jio’s disruptive positioning in the market has forced other operators to respond with generous counter-offers to retain customers, turning up the competitive heat in a market of over 1.12 billion mobile subscribers.