BSNL Introduces New 1,499 Recharge Plan: 336-Day Recharge, 24GB of Total data.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has also launched a renewed long-term prepaid plan at a cost of 1,499 which will give a 336 days (almost 11 months) validity and a total high-speed data of 24GB as well. The plan is currently offered in various telecom circles like West Bengal and is designed to suit users interested in long validity as opposed to daily data usage, so is best suited to the needs of light internet users, older individuals or those with a secondary SIM specifically to make calls and/or send occasional messages.
Plan Highlights
Price: 1,499
Validity: 336 calendar days
Total Data: 24GB (not daily)- can be used at the common sense of the user within the entire validity period.
Voice Benefits: Local and STD calls are unlimited during the time of validity.
SMS: 100 SMS/day (depending on the structure of the plan of BSNL (not always stated specifically to this pack)
Post-Data Speed: Once the 24GB of high-speed quota has been used, the speed of the internet is lowered to a basic browsing rate (often 40 Kbps), which will ensure further but limited internet access.
As opposed to the daily data-centric packages offered by BSNL (e.g. 599 3GB/day, or 2,399 2GB/day), the 1499 package is based on a total data model, allowing customers to use their 24GB of data in the way they want and at the time they want. This flexibility comes in handy especially to those who are not using mobile data on a daily basis yet need a stable long lasting connection to be used in case of emergencies, WhatsApp or occasional browsing.
Who Is This Plan For?
The 1,499/336-day scheme will serve certain user segments:
Light Data Users: The 24GB is more than adequate to serve individuals who make frequent calls, SMS, and limited internet access (i.e., checking messages or emails) using a mobile network almost throughout a year.
Elderly Users: Senior citizens tend to choose a plan with a high validity and easy usage patterns- this plan would not require constant recharging and allow them to use the phone without interruption.
Backup or Travel SIMs: Perfect when a secondary number is required and that too when necessary because the BSNL has free incoming calls and unlimited outgoing calls even when roaming nationwide, including the areas of MTNL (Delhi and Mumbai).
Rural and Semi-Urban Subscribers: In the regions where there is a reduced level of digital usage, this plan will offer affordable, all-year-round connectivity without any data constraints.
Comparisons to other Long-term plans of BSNL.
BSNL comes with a number of annual plans or plans close to annual, each with specific usage profile:
1,999 (330 days): 1.5GB/day – ~495GB total
2,399 (365 days): 2GB/day – ~730GB total
997 (150 days): 2GB/day – ~300GB total
Compared to this, the 1,499 plan will be only 24GB in total, which is only 71MB a day on average as compared to other long-term plans. Nonetheless, the fact that it is less expensive and targets voice over data makes it singularly unmatched by those who do not consume large amounts of data.
To put into perspective, in case a user only uses 200MB of data monthly (e.g. WhatsApp, some Google search) the 24GB will take the full 336 days and more.
Strategic Timing and Availability
The plan fits into the bigger plan of BSNL before the national deployment of its indigenous 4G network, named swadeshi, which will be officially implemented on September 27, 2025. With the rollout of 4G to more than 98,000 locations, including remote villages under the Digital Bharat Nidhi project, low-cost, long-term plans such as [?]1,499 allow to board customers who do not necessarily need the fast data but can still enjoy the benefits of a digital connection.
But just like every BSNL tariff, the benefits will be slightly different depending on the region, and therefore the users are recommended to confirm inclusions on the BSNL Selfcare application or through the official site and then only proceed to recharging.
Final Thoughts
Although not capable of streaming, gaming, and heavy browsing, the [?]1,499/336-day/24GB plan offered by BSNL occupies a valuable niche in the prepaid segment. It is an illustration of how BSNL has been the provider of inclusive telecommunications services- in that even the most conservative of users can remain in contact at a reasonable cost over almost a whole year. This is a reminder in a market that is more concerned about gigabytes and 5G, that dependable voice service and simplicity are important to millions of Indians.
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