Myth busted:Unlimited 3G data plans are NOT unlimited*

Last updated on January 16th, 2023 at 06:37 am

Indian Mobile operators advertise their unlimited data plans boldly as true unlimited data plans. See their advertisement carefully; they put a tiny asterisk some where on the advertisement.

Actually this tiny asterisk indicates hidden catch. The catch is that they offers unlimited data plan at variable download speeds. They offers high download speed up to some fixed data usage limit and after crossing the fixed data usage limit, download speed reduces drastically.

Mobile operators reduce the download speeds as per fair usage policy (FUP) of TRAI guidelines.

Some operators reduce download speed to some comfortable speed (128Kbps) at which you can even use the Internet easily but some of them reduce download speed so drastically ( 8Kbps) that you can’t open a webpage properly.
With this reduced download speed, some customers get irritated and blame the mobile operator for their poor network but actually the reduced download speed is the part of their data plan.

Let us examine the popular unlimited data plans of mobile operators for prepaid customers.

Airtel: Airtel have datashare plan of Rs 1000 in which you get 5GB of 3G data and you can share this 5GB data among three friends or three devices. Other 3G data plan with validity of 30 days are as follows

• MRP of Rs 655 has data cap at 3GB and after that speed reduces to 80Kbps
• MRP of Rs 759 has data cap at 4GB and after that speed reduces to 80Kbps
• MRP of Rs 855 has data cap at 5GB and after that speed reduces to 80Kbps
• MRP of Rs 955 has data cap at 6GB and after that speed reduces to 80Kbps
• MRP of Rs 1255 has data cap at 9GB and after that speed reduces to 80Kbps
• MRP of Rs 1555 has data cap at 12GB and after that speed reduces to 80Kbps

Vodafone: Vodafone have unlimited 2G plan starting from Rs 194 with a cap on 2GB, after crossing the cap, the speed reduces 40Kbps.  Vodafone have 3G unlimited plans as follows

• MRP of Rs 651 has data cap at 3GB and after that speed reduces to 64Kbps
• MRP of Rs 851 has data cap at 5GB and after that speed reduces to 64Kbps
• MRP of Rs 1251 has data cap at 8GB and after that speed reduces to 64Kbps
• MRP of Rs 1501 has data cap at 10GB and after that speed reduces to 64Kbps

Idea: Idea also have unlimited 3G data plan in the same price range as other operators, the plans are listed below

• MRP of Rs 649 has data cap at 3GB and after that speed reduces to 80Kbps
• MRP of Rs 749 has data cap at 4GB and after that speed reduces to 80Kbps
• MRP of Rs 849 has data cap at 5GB and after that speed reduces to 80Kbps
• MRP of Rs 949 has data cap at 6GB and after that speed reduces to 80Kbps
• MRP of Rs 1249 has data cap at 9GB and after that speed reduces to 80Kbps
• MRP of Rs 1549 has data cap at 12GB and after that speed reduces to 80Kbps

The above plans shows that after basic plan of 3GB for Rs 649, the additional charges are Rs 100 for every 1GB.

Reliance Communication: This have min 5GB plan and offer discounted rates on higher plan as listed below.

• MRP of Rs 800 has data cap at 5GB and after that speed reduces to 64Kbps
• MRP of Rs 1099 has data cap at 10GB and after that speed reduces to 64Kbps
• MRP of Rs 1300 has data cap at 15GB and after that speed reduces to 64Kbps

Tata DoCoMo: This have only one unlimited plan of MRP Rs 250 but company says if you use the plan where 3G network is not there, you will get 2G data speed only.

• MRP of Rs 250 has data cap at 1GB and after that speed reduces to 64Kbps

BSNL: Few months back, BSNL had  one unlimited Postpaid plan of MRP of Rs 700 but now company have converted this plan as limited plan with free data usage of 6GB and additional data of 1GB@Rs 100. BSNL have following other limited plan for prepaid customers.

• MRP of Rs 250 has data usage of 1GB and after that additional charge 1MB@25p
• MRP of Rs 450 has data usage of 2GB and after that additional charge 1MB@25p
• MRP of Rs 600 has data usage of 3GB and after that additional charge 1MB@25p
• MRP of Rs 750 has data usage of 5GB and after that additional charge 1MB@25p

BSNL have the most economical plan of Rs 599 which offers you 7GB data usage but out of 7GB, you have to use 4GB in night hours from 11PM to 7AM.

Aircel: Aircel also have most economical 3G unlimited data plans as follows.

• MRP of Rs 198 has data cap at 1GB and after that speed reduces to 128Kbps
• MRP of Rs 399 has data cap at 2GB and after that speed reduces to 128Kbps
• MRP of Rs 697 has data cap at 5GB and after that speed reduces to 128Kbps
• MRP of Rs 997 has data cap at 10GB and after that speed reduces to 128Kbps

MTS: MTS have three unlimited data plans of CDMA which offers maximum speed up to 3.1 Mbps. The plans are listed as follows.

• MRP of Rs 799 has data cap at 6GB and after that speed reduces to 144Kbps
• MRP of Rs 899 has data cap at 12GB and after that speed reduces to 144Kbps
• MRP of Rs 1249 has data cap at 15GB and after that speed reduces to 144Kbps

It is evident from all above data plans that BSNL have the most economical 3G data plan priced at Rs 599 while for more data hungry customer who consumes 10GB or more data, Reliance Communications have much more cheaper data plans.

If someone wants more higher speed, they may go for 4G services or FTTH.