Jio has announced a controversial revision of its popular tariff plans, effective from July 3, 2024. The new plans come with the same data benefits but at significantly higher prices, sparking concerns among users who feel the changes are unjustified.
Increased Tariff Plans with No Added Benefits
Despite the price hike, the data and benefits remain unchanged, leading to dissatisfaction among Jio users. Here’s a detailed comparison of the existing and new plans, along with the percentage increase in prices:
| Existing Plan Price (Rs) | Benefits (Unlimited voice & SMS plans) | Validity (days) | New Plan Price (Rs) | Percentage Increase (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 155 | 2 GB | 28 | 189 | 21.9% |
| 209 | 1 GB/day | 28 | 249 | 19.1% |
| 239 | 1.5 GB/day | 28 | 299 | 25.1% |
| 299 | 2 GB/day | 28 | 349 | 16.7% |
| 349 | 2.5 GB/day | 28 | 399 | 14.3% |
| 399 | 3 GB/day | 28 | 449 | 12.5% |
| 479 | 1.5 GB/day | 56 | 579 | 20.9% |
| 533 | 2 GB/day | 56 | 629 | 18.0% |
| 395 | 6 GB | 84 | 479 | 21.3% |
| 666 | 1.5 GB/day | 84 | 799 | 20.0% |
| 719 | 2 GB/day | 84 | 859 | 19.5% |
| 999 | 3 GB/day | 84 | 1199 | 20.0% |
| 1559 | 24 GB | 336 | 1899 | 21.8% |
| 2999 | 2.5 GB/day | 365 | 3599 | 20.0% |
| 15 | 1 GB | base plan | 19 | 26.7% |
| 25 | 2 GB | base plan | 29 | 16.0% |
| 61 | 6 GB | base plan | 69 | 13.1% |
| 299 | 30 GB | bill cycle | 349 | 16.7% |
| 399 | 75 GB | bill cycle | 449 | 12.5% |
Note: Unlimited 5G data will be available on all 2GB/day and above plans.
Recharge in Advance to Save Money
To avoid the higher prices, Jio users have the option to recharge in advance with the old tariffs before the new plans come into effect on July 3, 2024. However, Jio has restricted the ₹395 and ₹1559 plans from being available for advance recharges, limiting the options available for users to lock in lower prices.
New Services Fail to Justify Price Hike
Alongside the price increase, Jio is introducing two new applications, but these come at an additional cost:
- JioSafe: A quantum-secure communication app for calling, messaging, file transfer, and more, priced at Rs 199 per month.
- JioTranslate: An AI-powered multi-lingual communication app for translating voice calls, voice messages, text, and images, available for Rs 99 per month.
While these services are offered free for the first year, users argue that they do not compensate for the increased plan prices, especially since the core benefits remain unchanged.
User Backlash
The new tariff plans and services have sparked significant backlash from Jio users, who feel the price hikes are unwarranted. Despite Jio’s claims of providing value and innovation, users are left questioning the rationale behind paying more for the same benefits they previously enjoyed at lower prices.
Conclusion
As Jio pushes forward with its new tariff plans effective from July 3, 2024, users are left to grapple with higher costs without any added benefits. The introduction of new services like JioSafe and JioTranslate does little to mitigate the dissatisfaction stemming from the price hikes. Jio users are advised to reconsider their options and explore alternatives to ensure they get the best value for their money.