Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), a state-owned telecommunications provider in India, has introduced and revised prepaid plans offering extended validity and bundled benefits. Among these is the Rs 397 prepaid plan, which has undergone changes regarding its validity period and the duration of associated freebies. The plan is designed to provide users with a long-term recharge option that includes unlimited voice calls, daily data allocations, and SMS services, along with promotional freebies such as personalized ringback tones (PRBT) and contest access.
The information regarding the specific details of this plan varies across the provided sources, particularly concerning the total validity of the plan versus the duration of the free data and voice benefits. While some sources indicate a total validity of 365 days, others suggest a validity of 150 days. This guide aims to clarify these details based on the available documentation, helping consumers understand the structure of the offer, the associated costs after the freebie period expires, and the other prepaid options available from BSNL.
Plan Overview and Validity Discrepancies
The Rs 397 prepaid plan is a revision of an earlier Rs 365 plan. The core offering provides unlimited voice calls and 2GB of daily data. However, there is conflicting information regarding the duration of these benefits and the total validity of the plan voucher.
According to Source 1, the Rs 397 plan offers a total validity of 1 year (365 days). In this description, the unlimited voice calls and 2GB daily data are available for 60 days. After this 60-day period, the data speed reduces to 80 Kbps, and presumably, standard pay-per-use tariffs apply for voice and SMS, though this source does not explicitly detail the post-freebie charges.
Source 2 presents a different structure. It states that the plan has a validity of 150 days. Under this structure, the free unlimited local and STD voice calls, 100 free SMS per day, and unlimited 3G/4G data (capped at 2GB per day with speed reduction to 80 Kbps thereafter) are valid only for the first 30 days from the date of activation. After these 30 days, the plan reverts to standard tariff rates for voice, SMS, and data usage.
Source 3 appears to be a document metadata page with limited substantive content, but its title suggests a validity of 365 days, aligning with Source 1.
Due to these contradictions, consumers must verify the specific terms at the time of recharge. The discrepancy is significant: a 365-day validity with 60 days of freebies versus a 150-day validity with 30 days of freebies.
Detailed Tariff and Post-Freebie Charges
For users seeking to understand the costs incurred after the promotional freebie period, Source 2 provides the most detailed breakdown. Assuming the 150-day validity structure is applicable, the following tariffs apply after the initial 30 days of free benefits:
SMS Charges: * Home Circle: Local SMS cost is 0.8 Paise per SMS; STD SMS cost is Rs 1.2 per SMS; International SMS cost is Rs 5 per SMS. * Roaming: Local SMS cost is Rs 0.25; STD SMS cost is Rs 0.38; International SMS cost is Rs 5. * Non-P2P SMS: The cost for non-peer-to-peer SMS is Rs 3.
Call Charges: * Local calls to any network: Rs 1 per minute. * STD calls to any network: Rs 1.3 per minute.
Data Usage Charges: * After the free data allowance is exhausted (or after the 30-day free period ends), usage is volume-based at Rs 0.25 per MB. * The plan allows for the activation of 4G Data Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs) for additional free data usage.
The plan is applicable to all users of BSNL GSM Mobile Services on a PAN India basis. Tariff extension is achieved by recharging with the same Plan Voucher (Rs 397).
Additional Freebies and Promotional Offers
The Rs 397 plan includes specific promotional freebies that are time-bound. Source 2 details these as valid for 30 days: * Lokdhun Contest: Access to the Lokdhun contest is provided for 30 days. * Caller Tune: Free caller tune (PRBT) is included for 30 days.
Source 1 mentions that the Rs 365 plan (which the Rs 397 plan replaces) offers free PRBT and 100 free SMS per day. It also mentions that users can get unlimited plan freebies with PRBT for 60 days, which aligns with the 60-day freebie duration mentioned in that source.
Alternative BSNL Prepaid Plans
For consumers comparing the Rs 397 plan with other long-term options, Source 1 and Source 2 mention the Rs 1999 prepaid plan. This plan offers a different value proposition, specifically targeting high-data users.
BSNL Rs 1999 Plan Details: * Validity: 365 days. * Data: 3GB of daily data. * Voice: Unlimited calling. * SMS: 100 SMS per day. * Additional Benefits: Free BSNL tunes with an unlimited song change option. * OTT Benefits: Includes OTT benefits from Eros Now and Lokdhun or BSNL TV content for 60 days.
This plan serves as a premium alternative for users requiring higher daily data limits and additional entertainment content compared to the Rs 397 plan.
Activation and Availability
The Rs 397 prepaid plan is available across all circles in India as a regular tariff. Customers can recharge this plan either online or offline to activate the prepaid services with the tariff details described above. The plan serves as a revised pricing for the earlier Rs 365 plan, effectively increasing the cost while potentially adjusting the validity or benefit structure depending on the specific interpretation of the source data.
Conclusion
The BSNL Rs 397 prepaid plan is a long-term recharge option that provides unlimited voice calls and 2GB of daily data, though the duration of these freebies varies between 30 and 60 days depending on the source. The total validity of the plan voucher is reported as either 150 days or 365 days, creating a need for consumers to verify current terms upon purchase. After the freebie period, standard tariffs apply for voice, SMS, and data usage. For users seeking a simple, long-validity plan with moderate data needs, this plan offers a viable option, while the Rs 1999 plan remains available for those requiring higher data consumption and entertainment benefits.