Reliance Jio is all set to relaunch its earlier 303 and 499 plan, but with three-times the earlier validity, according to sources.
This would help it side-step issues around continuing with free services.
UPDATE: The new offer will be called Dhan Dhana Dhan and will have slightly different recharge values. The 303 offer has been changed to 309 and the 499 recharge has been modified to 509.
Other details remain largely the same.
For non-prime users, the recharge values are Rs 408 and 608 respectively for these two offers.
The offer can be availed only once.
According to sources, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is not in favor of the company continuing with its free offers.
Though the reason given was different, TRAI had urged RJio to withdraw its ‘free services for 90 days’ offer under its ‘Summer Surprise’ plan last week.
As we had pointed out at the time, this was likely to simply force the company to either cut its recharge value or extend the recharge validity.
According to our sources, the company has chosen the latter path.
While earlier, the 303 plan would give you free calls and 1 GB of data daily for just one month, under the new tariff, it would last for three months.
Similarly, while the earlier plan offered only 2 GB of data per day for Rs 499 per month, the company is likely to offer the same for three whole months under the new plan.
The biggest drawback of going for such a scheme would be that it would have to either call it a promotional offer, or if it’s given as a regular pack, offer it for at least a period of six months. No regular tariff plans can be withdrawn before a period of six months passes after they are introduced.
The updated plans are likely to come up on the website as early as today evening or tomorrow morning.
For now, though the website continues to show a ‘we are working on new plans’ banner.
Similarly, the recharge facility has also stopped offering the 303 and 499 plans and displays only the 149 pack.