Airtel raises postpaid prices and adds annual roaming benefit

Bharti Airtel will raise monthly prices across its postpaid plans by Rs 50 and add one international-roaming trip per eligible SIM each year, with the revised plans taking effect October 8. The individual plan will cost Rs 499, up from Rs 449, while the two-SIM family plan will rise to Rs 749 from Rs 699, according to the company’s plan details. The new monthly prices for larger plans are Rs 1,049 for three SIMs, Rs 1,249 and Rs 1,449 for two four-SIM options, and Rs 1,799 for a plan covering up to five SIMs. Each is Rs 50 above its previous price. The same flat increase represents a larger percentage rise on lower-priced plans. The annual roaming benefit is a five-day pack with 5GB of data, 60 minutes of calls, 25 outgoing text messages and free incoming text messages. Airtel says customers can activate it when they choose rather than having it start automatically. Each eligible SIM on a family plan receives its own annual benefit. The revised plans also retain existing features, including unlimited data and calls and spam and fraud protection, according to Airtel. Entertainment and digital-service subscriptions vary by plan.