Reliance Jio, India’s largest telecom operator, has quietly removed its Rs 249 prepaid plan from its offerings, marking the end of its last plan that came with 1GB daily data. This move has left many budget-conscious subscribers surprised, as the Rs 249 Jio recharge plan was one of the most popular options for customers who preferred longer validity with moderate data usage. With this removal, Jio no longer offers any prepaid recharge plan that provides 1GB of daily data.
The Jio Rs 249 prepaid plan earlier gave users 1GB data per day along with 28 days validity, making it an affordable option for low-data users, especially those still relying on 4G networks rather than 5G. Interestingly, this plan initially used to come with 1.5GB daily data, but Jio had revised it in recent months to reduce data benefits while maintaining the same validity. For users with lower income or minimal data needs, this plan was a cost-effective solution.
Currently, Reliance Jio continues to offer Rs 189, Rs 198, and Rs 239 prepaid plans, but these packs come with less validity compared to the Rs 249 plan. The removal of the Rs 249 recharge pack is significant because it catered to a large chunk of Jio’s subscriber base who wanted extended service days rather than higher data benefits. Customers who relied on the Rs 249 recharge will now either have to recharge more frequently or shift to higher-value Jio prepaid plans.
Industry experts suggest that Jio’s decision to discontinue the Rs 249 Jio plan is linked to its Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) strategy. While overall data consumption in India has surged, much of this growth is driven by 5G usage. Lower-end 4G users, who typically opted for the Rs 249 plan, contributed less to ARPU growth.
To improve profitability and strengthen its financials ahead of its potential Jio IPO in 2026, Reliance Jio appears to be streamlining its offerings to push users toward higher-value recharge plans.
This move is expected to result in an increase in Jio’s ARPU in Q2 FY25, as customers may either switch to more expensive prepaid plans with 1.5GB or 2GB daily data benefits or end up recharging more frequently. Either way, Jio’s top-line revenues will see a positive impact.
From a customer perspective, however, the removal of the 1GB daily data Jio recharge plan could be disappointing. Many subscribers, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, found the Rs 249 recharge to be an ideal balance of affordability and sufficient validity. With this option gone, they may face increased costs, which might lead to dissatisfaction among price-sensitive users.
In conclusion, the discontinuation of the Reliance Jio Rs 249 plan reflects the company’s focus on profitability and ARPU growth rather than catering to ultra-budget segments. While this strategy may benefit Jio financially, it remains to be seen whether the telecom giant will reintroduce affordable 1GB per day prepaid recharge plans in the future to cater to its massive 4G user base.
