By Kavita Mistry 
Bharti Airtel has quietly discontinued its ₹189 voice-only prepaid plan, effectively raising the minimum recharge cost to ₹199. This change reflects the telecom operator’s move toward data-centric plans, aligning with the growing trend in India’s mobile market where digital connectivity is now central to user demand.
₹189 Voice-Only Plan Phased Out
The now-discontinued ₹189 plan was popular among senior citizens, rural users, and customers using a secondary SIM for calls. It offered unlimited voice calls across all networks for 28 days, without any bundled data or digital benefits — catering specifically to users with minimal internet needs.
Its removal means these customers must now upgrade to plans that include data, even if they don’t need it, effectively increasing their monthly mobile expense.
New Minimum Recharge: ₹199 Plan with Data and Extras
Airtel’s updated base plan, priced at ₹199, offers:
- Unlimited voice calls
- 2GB of data for 28 days
- 100 SMS per day
- Free Hello Tunes
- 12-month subscription to Perplexity Pro AI tool
Once the 2GB limit is used, customers are charged ₹0.50 per MB. While these features may benefit smartphone users, they offer limited value to low-data or call-only users, who now have to pay more for services they may not use.
Industry Trend: Shift to Data-Driven Plans
Telecom experts suggest that Airtel’s move is part of a broader industry shift. As smartphone penetration rises and data consumption becomes universal, Indian telecom operators are gradually phasing out voice-only plans.
However, this evolution risks marginalising low-income and rural consumers, who depend on affordable voice services. Without low-cost calling options, such users may face connectivity barriers.
Airtel has yet to issue an official statement on the discontinuation, but the update on its website confirms that ₹199 is now the new entry-level prepaid recharge.
Summary
Bharti Airtel has discontinued its ₹189 voice-only plan, raising its minimum recharge to ₹199. The new base plan includes 2GB data, unlimited calls, and added digital perks like Hello Tunes and Perplexity Pro. While this aligns with India’s data-first telecom trend, it raises costs for users seeking simple, low-cost calling options, particularly seniors and rural customers.