After Jio, Airtel to remove its₹249 plan offering 1GB/Day and unlimited calls

In a significant shift within the Indian telecom landscape, Bharti Airtel has announced it will discontinue its widely utilized ₹249 prepaid plan, which offers 1GB of daily data and unlimited calling. This change follows a similar move by Jio, which recently phased out its equivalent plan. According to updates on the Airtel app and website, the plan will cease to be available starting at midnight on August 20, 2025. The ₹249 plan has long been seen as an entry-level option for Airtel customers, providing not only 1GB of daily data but also unlimited local, STD, and roaming calls, along with 100 SMS per day over a validity period of 24 days. A notification on the Airtel Thanks app confirms the plan's discontinuation, stating, "Effective 00:00 Hours, 20th Aug 2025, recharge 249 will be discontinued." This popular plan has been a go-to choice for subscribers seeking affordable and basic data services. Its removal may encourage users to explore higher-priced options within Airtel's offerings. While the company has not announced a direct replacement, this strategy seems aligned with a broader trend among telecom providers pushing for longer-duration or higher-value recharge plans. In addition to this change, Airtel has also been grappling with service disruptions, as many users reported issues with the app and connectivity on Monday. Downdetector noted a surge in complaints, with over 3,500 reports of service failures around 4:30 PM IST. The majority of users, approximately 68%, faced difficulties with mobile services, while others reported issues with mobile internet and signal loss. Regions across India, particularly in the north and east, experienced these disruptions, with cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, and Kolkata being significantly affected. The outages have raised concerns among users, especially with the Airtel Thanks app becoming unresponsive, complicating login attempts. As customers adjust to these changes, they will need to consider their options moving forward.