Airtel Drops Rs 299 Plan: Are Broader Telecom Tariff Hikes Next?

Public Lokpal
August 13, 2026

Bharti Airtel has phased out its popular Rs 299 entry-level prepaid plan, alongside several mid-tier options, effectively pushing budget-conscious users toward higher-priced bundles like the Rs 349 pack.

This move results in an effective 16% price hike for consumers seeking daily data.

Rather than announcing a sweeping macro tariff hike, Airtel is utilizing "stealth portfolio restructuring" to lift Average Revenue Per User (ARPU). By trimming low-end plans that offer high data quotas, the telecom giant aims to improve margins and secure returns on heavy 5G infrastructure investments.

Industry analysts expect competitors like Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea to follow suit with similar stealth adjustments. While a headline-grabbing broad tariff hike has been delayed, these targeted plan removals serve as a clear precursor to wider industry price corrections ahead.