Telecom major Idea has launched an all-new recharge plan for pre-paid subscribers that offers unlimited voice calling and 1GB data at just Rs 179. The new plan was announced on Monday. Moreover, subscribers who opt for the new recharge plan from Idea's official website, or from the MyIdea app, will be eligible for an additional 1GB of data at no extra cost. The pre-paid plan which is applicable for any type of handset (4G/3G/2G) across the country will be valid for 28 days.
     

It is clear that the plan has been launched to counter the offers that are coming for pre-paid subscribers from companies like Jio and Airtel. Just recently Jio increased the amount of data that was available to subscribers using the Rs 149 plan. Airtel, meanwhile, has announced a new Rs 448 plan that gives per-paid users 70GB data for 70 days. This data is offered by Airtel with a cap of 1GB per day.     

"In today's world of absolute connectivity, a phone call from an old friend still brings a smile to our face, and this is the creative concept of the campaign. With our Rs 179 recharge we will enable customers to continue their conversations non-stop," Sashi Shankar, chief marketing officer,

In essence, subscribers who make the recharge from web or via Idea's in-house app will be eligible for unlimited voice (local and STD) calling and 2GB with a validity of 28 days should they opt for the Rs 179 plan. Since the plan makes no specific mention of roaming, chances are the same won't be free for subscribers.

Previously, Idea rolled out a Rs 357 plan offering 1GB data per day to subscribers. Idea's Rs 357 plan, that seems to have been launched to take on Jio's incumbent Rs 399 plan, offers unlimited (local and STD) calls and 1GB data per day, and 100 SMS. Again, roaming isn't free. Jio's Rs 399 plan, meanwhile, offers free roaming as well, in addition to unlimited voice calling and 1GB data per day. Moreover, Jio'S Rs 399 plan has a validity of 70 days while Idea's Rs 357 plan comes with a validity of 28 days.

Idea does offer unlimited calls, 1GB daily data and 100 SMS with a validity of 70 days; however, the plan that covers these aspects is exclusive for the Delhi-NCR circle for now.

Idea is not the only telecom operator rolling out new tariff plans, at large, these days. Airtel only recently launched a new Rs 448 plan for prepaid users to take on Jio's Rs 399 plan. Airtel's Rs 448 plan offers 70GB 3G/4G data: 1GB 3G/4G data per day for a period of 70 days.

Idea is currently in the process of completing its sale to Vodafone. The deal that was announced a few months earlier is likely to close in the next few months. Once complete, the Idea and Vodafone will operate as a single entity in the India market and will possibly in a position to compete with Jio and Airtel in a better way.