All three major private telecom operators in India—Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea (Vi)—are now offering 5G services. While Vi has only just entered the 5G space, starting with the Mumbai circle, it now joins Airtel and Jio in providing next-gen connectivity to end users. So far, we’ve seen Airtel and Jio offer entry-level prepaid plans bundled with complimentary unlimited 5G data. With Vi joining the fray and BSNL expected to launch its 4G/5G services in the next 3–4 months using over 1 lakh indigenously developed sites, the Indian telecom landscape is evolving rapidly.
Airtel’s Entry-Level Unlimited 5G Plan
Airtel’s most affordable prepaid plan with unlimited 5G access starts at ₹379. This plan includes unlimited voice calls, 100 SMS per day, and 2GB of data per day (approximately 60GB per month), with a validity of 30 days. Once the daily data limit is exhausted, speeds drop to 64 Kbps. However, the real value-add lies in the bundled benefits—users get Unlimited 5G Data (usable only in 5G areas), three months of free Apollo 24/7 Circle membership, access to Airtel Xstream, free HelloTunes (one per month), VoLTE support, and in-network AI-powered spam detection.
For just about ₹12.60 per day, customers can enjoy high-speed 5G connectivity for streaming, browsing, and staying connected.
Airtel’s 5G Fair Usage Policy (FUP)
Even though Airtel offers “unlimited” 5G data, it follows a Fair Usage Policy. Users consuming over 300GB of 5G data within 30 days—roughly 10GB/day—may be classified as commercial users. Notably, the base data offered in the plan can be used across any network type, including 5G. Airtel’s CEO, Gopal Vittal, previously highlighted that these 2GB/day prepaid plans, coupled with Unlimited 5G offers, are contributing to an increase in Average Revenue Per User (ARPU).
Jio’s Entry-Level Unlimited 5G Plan
Reliance Jio’s entry-level prepaid plan with complimentary Unlimited 5G starts at ₹349. It includes unlimited voice calls, 100 SMS per day, and 2GB of data per day (56GB total) with a 28-day validity. Post data usage, speeds reduce to 64 Kbps. Jio’s Unlimited 5G Data is available to eligible subscribers, and additional perks include access to JioTV and Jio AI Cloud via the MyJio app.
