Reliance Jio Effect: BSNL Offers 360GB Data With New Rs. 444 Prepaid Pack

The ultra-low cost Reliance Jio services have made all telecom operators come up with data-heavy plans to retain customers. State-owned telco BSNL is no different and has been launching new prepaid packs and postpaid plans with bundled calls and data. Now, the BSNL has launched a new prepaid recharge pack with a massive 360GB of data. Named Chaukka 444, the plan will help the operator compete with the Reliance Jio Dhan Dhana Dhan Offer.

Under the new STV Rs. 444, BSNL prepaid subscribers will get 4GB data per day with a validity of 90 days. However, unlike Reliance Jio's 4G network, BSNL is 3G-only, so users will get relatively slower speeds with this pack. On the other hand, the data allowance with this BSNL recharge is much higher than what rivals are offering, and comes to around Rs. 1.23 per GB, against Jio's Rs. 11 per GB for the Rs. 309 pack, and Rs. 9 per GB for the Rs. 509 pack.

BSNL users can purchase the recharge from the official website under the STV section on the recharge page. It is worth pointing out the list of STVs on the BSNL recharge Web page mentions 60 days as the validity period. However, we confirmed with the BSNL customer care team that the validity of the new Rs. 444 STV is indeed 90 days.

Announcing the new STV, BSNL's Director for Consumer Mobility RK Mittal said, "We are committed to provide affordable and efficient services to all segments of our mobile customers. We offer best prices to our customers considering present trend of Indian telecom industry." A BSNL customer representative confirmed that the new STV Rs. 444 is a data-only plan, and there will be no call benefits.

The new STV Rs. 444 is the company's latest attempt to woo its customers with a data quota that's been now offered by any other competitor at this price. Unfortunately, there is no word as of now on the availability of the new Rs. 444 offer for BSNL prepaid customers. BSNL previously announced STV 'Triple Ace', which provided consumers with FUP of 3GB per day at Rs. 333. The STV Rs. 333 also has validity of 90 days.

For customers who want free calls, there's the 'Dil Khol Ke Bol' STV Rs. 349 where it offered unlimited voice calls (local and STD) alongside additional 2GB for a month with a validity of 28 days. BSNL users looking for both voice and data benefits can opt for the 'Nehle Pe Dehla' STV Rs. 395, which offers 3,000 minutes to other BSNL numbers (local/STD) as well as free 1,800 minutes to any other mobile network (local/STD). Under STV Rs. 395, the company also offers 2GB per day data.

Catering to its broadband customers, BSNL offers Rs. 249 broadband plan under which users get up to 300GB data per month. The new plan also offers partial free calls during night time. The plan is valid only for new customers.