Airtel withdraws four prepaid plans, Rs 299 users face 16% price hike

Bharti Airtel has withdrawn four prepaid plans priced at Rs 299, Rs 579, Rs 619 and Rs 649, leaving subscribers of the popular Rs 299 pack with fewer and more expensive options.

The reshuffle leaves the entry-level Rs 199 and Rs 219 plans unchanged. However, subscribers on the Rs 299 plan will now have to opt for the Rs 349 pack, translating into a price increase of around 16%.

While Airtel has not officially commented on the move, people aware of the development said the company is looking to drive sustained growth in average revenue per user (ARPU).