Bharti Airtel, a leading telecom operator, has officially withdrawn four of its popular prepaid recharge plans across India. As of August 12, 2026, the Rs 299, Rs 579, Rs 619, and Rs 649 prepaid packs are no longer available for new subscriptions or recharges through the Airtel Thanks app or the company’s official website.
Details of the Discontinued Airtel Prepaid Plans
The removed plans offered a range of validity periods and daily data benefits, catering to various customer needs. The validity for these packs ranged from 28 days to 84 days, with daily data allowances typically between 1.5GB and 2GB, alongside unlimited calling and other benefits.
- Rs 299 Plan: A widely used monthly recharge option, known for its balance of daily data and unlimited calling.
- Rs 579, Rs 619, Rs 649 Plans: These offered longer validity periods, appealing to users who preferred less frequent recharges.
Customers attempting to search for these specific Airtel prepaid plans on the official platforms will now be directed to alternative available options.
What This Means for Airtel Subscribers
Airtel customers who previously relied on the discontinued packs will now need to explore other plans within Airtel's existing portfolio. For those who favored the Rs 299 plan, the Rs 349 plan is suggested as a close alternative, providing similar daily data and unlimited calling benefits, potentially with added perks.
Users seeking longer validity periods will need to review Airtel's other 56-day, 84-day, or extended validity plans, depending on their specific data and usage requirements. It is advisable for subscribers to check the Airtel Thanks app or the official Airtel recharge page to confirm the exact alternatives available in their respective circles.
Broader Implications Amid Tariff Hike Speculation
This move by Airtel comes amidst ongoing speculation regarding potential tariff revisions across India's telecom sector. Reports and analyses suggest that major telecom players, including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, might be considering tariff increases of approximately 12% to 15% in the coming months. However, these broader tariff hike discussions remain unconfirmed until official announcements are made by the respective telecom operators.
Telecom companies frequently adjust their prepaid plan offerings to optimize tariffs, manage network usage, and guide subscribers towards different service categories, a practice common in the dynamic Indian market.