Pay more for data as telcos phase out entry-level plans

Consumers are set to pay more to start using data on their mobile phones. After Reliance Jio’s move to discontinue its entry-level ‘249 prepaid plan offering 1 GB data a day, rival Bharti Airtel followed suit by removing its similarly priced plan from Wednesday.

India’s third-largest telecom operator, Vodafone Idea (Vi), too, is expected to join its rivals soon, according to industry executives and analysts. As a result, consumers wanting to use data would need to start with a 1.5 GB a day plan, which is priced higher.