Introduction
In a strategic move set to disrupt the telecom market once again, Airtel has introduced a compelling new monthly prepaid plan priced at just ₹198. This budget-friendly offering brings high-speed 5G data and unlimited voice calling to consumers who want premium connectivity without premium pricing. The timing couldn’t be better, as Indians increasingly rely on mobile internet for remote work, education, entertainment, and staying connected in our digital-first world.
The new ₹198 plan stands out in Airtel’s portfolio as one of the most value-oriented options, particularly for users who prioritize data and calling capabilities over streaming service subscriptions. With 5G networks rapidly expanding across India, this plan positions Airtel competitively in the budget segment while giving consumers access to next-generation connectivity.
This comprehensive analysis explores everything you need to know about Airtel’s new ₹198 monthly recharge plan – from its core features and daily benefits to ideal user profiles and comparisons with other popular plans.
Key Features and Benefits
The Airtel ₹198 prepaid plan offers a straightforward yet powerful package that focuses on the essentials that matter most to budget-conscious users. Here’s a breakdown of what subscribers receive:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | ₹198 |
| Validity | 28 days |
| Daily Data | 2GB high-speed 5G data per day (56GB total) |
| Voice Calling | Unlimited calls to all networks within India |
| SMS | 100 SMS per day |
| Network Support | 4G and 5G compatible |
| Roaming | Free incoming calls while roaming |
| OTT Benefits | None included |
| Additional Benefits | None |
This plan strategically positions itself as a value leader by providing the highest daily data allowance (2GB) at the lowest price point in Airtel’s portfolio of monthly plans. While it omits the OTT subscriptions included in some higher-priced plans, it delivers on the fundamentals that many users prioritize: generous data, unrestricted calling, and affordable pricing.
Daily Usage Breakdown
To better understand the practical value of the ₹198 plan, let’s examine what users can do with its daily allowances:
Daily 2GB Data Allowance
With 2GB of high-speed data refreshing every 24 hours, subscribers can comfortably engage in a variety of online activities:
- Stream approximately 4 hours of standard definition video content
- Participate in 6-8 hours of video conferencing
- Browse social media and the web for 8-10 hours
- Download about 500 songs or several mobile applications
- Use GPS navigation throughout the day
- Create and consume content on social media platforms
The 2GB daily limit is particularly suitable for moderate to heavy smartphone users who need reliable connectivity throughout the day without constantly monitoring their data usage.
Unlimited Voice Calling
The plan’s unlimited voice calling feature offers several advantages:
- Make and receive unlimited calls across all Indian networks
- No need to track call durations or worry about extra charges
- Suitable for business users who rely heavily on voice communication
- Perfect for staying connected with family and friends regardless of their network provider
- Freedom to make long personal and professional calls without concerns about billing
100 SMS Per Day
While messaging apps have largely replaced traditional SMS for personal communication, the daily SMS allowance remains valuable for:
- Receiving OTPs and verification codes for online transactions
- Business communications and alerts
- Backup communication when data connectivity is limited
- Reaching contacts who may not use messaging apps
Who Should Opt for the ₹198 Airtel Plan?
The Airtel ₹198 plan is particularly well-suited for several user groups:
Students
- Adequate data for online classes and research
- Budget-friendly for those with limited income
- Sufficient for educational video content and document downloads
- Enables collaboration with classmates through messaging and calls
Budget-Conscious Professionals
- Covers essential work communication needs
- Supports mobile hotspot usage for laptops during commutes
- Perfect for work calls and emails on the go
- Ideal for gig workers and freelancers who need reliable connectivity
5G Early Adopters
- Access to Airtel’s expanding 5G network at an affordable price
- Experience next-generation speeds without premium pricing
- Test 5G capabilities on new devices without expensive commitments
- Future-proof connectivity as 5G becomes more widespread
Light to Moderate Entertainment Users
- Sufficient for daily social media and web browsing
- Supports music streaming throughout the day
- Allows for moderate video consumption
- Perfect for casual gamers
Value Seekers
- Maximum data at minimum price point
- No payment for unused OTT subscriptions
- Focus on core connectivity needs
- Best cost-to-data ratio in Airtel’s monthly lineup
Comparison with Other Airtel Plans
To understand how the ₹198 plan stacks up against alternatives, let’s compare it with other popular Airtel prepaid offerings:
| Plan Price | Daily Data | Voice Calling | SMS | Validity | 5G Access | OTT Benefits | Overall Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₹198 | 2GB | Unlimited | 100/day | 28 days | Yes | None | Highest data-to-price ratio |
| ₹239 | 1.5GB | Unlimited | 100/day | 28 days | Yes | Airtel Xstream | Less data, includes basic OTT |
| ₹265 | 1GB | Unlimited | 100/day | 28 days | Yes | Airtel Xstream | Least data, includes basic OTT |
| ₹299 | 2GB | Unlimited | 100/day | 28 days | Yes | Wynk + Xstream | Same data, more OTT, higher price |
| ₹349 | 2.5GB | Unlimited | 100/day | 28 days | Yes | Various OTT | More data, more OTT, higher price |
| ₹455 | 6GB total | Unlimited | 900 total | 84 days | No | None | Less daily data, longer validity |
| ₹499 | 3GB | Unlimited | 100/day | 28 days | Yes | Disney+ Hotstar | More data, premium OTT, much higher price |
This comparison highlights the distinct positioning of the ₹198 plan as the entry-level option for users who prioritize data volume over entertainment add-ons. For those who don’t use streaming services or already have separate subscriptions, this plan offers the most economical path to substantial daily data and unlimited calling.
5G Compatibility and Coverage
The ₹198 plan includes full access to Airtel’s 5G network, which continues to expand rapidly across India. To benefit from 5G connectivity with this plan, users need:
- A 5G-compatible smartphone with appropriate band support
- Location within Airtel’s 5G coverage area
- Proper network settings configuration
As of 2025, Airtel’s 5G Plus network covers most major metropolitan areas and is rapidly expanding into Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. According to recent information, Airtel’s 5G network now spans over 3,000 cities and towns across India, making the ₹198 plan increasingly valuable for a growing number of subscribers.
Users can check 5G availability in their area through the Airtel Thanks app, which provides real-time coverage information and helps configure devices for optimal 5G performance.
How to Recharge with the ₹198 Plan
Subscribing to the Airtel ₹198 plan is straightforward through multiple channels:
Digital Recharge Options
- Airtel Thanks App: The recommended method, offering potential cashback and reward points
- Airtel Website: Visit airtel.in/recharge for direct online recharge
- UPI Apps: Use Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, and other UPI services
- Banking Apps: Most major bank apps offer Airtel recharge services
Step-by-Step Recharge Process
- Open your preferred recharge application
- Enter your Airtel mobile number
- Select or search for the ₹198 plan
- Choose your payment method
- Complete the transaction
- Wait for the confirmation message
The plan activates immediately upon successful payment, and users receive an SMS confirmation with details of the recharge and its validity period.
Benefits and Limitations
To make an informed decision about the ₹198 plan, users should consider both its advantages and potential drawbacks:
Advantages
- Exceptional Value: Highest data-to-price ratio in Airtel’s monthly lineup
- 5G Inclusion: Access to next-generation network speeds without premium pricing
- Unlimited Calling: No restrictions on voice communication across networks
- Simplicity: Straightforward benefits without complicated conditions
- No Daily Data Anxiety: Generous 2GB daily allowance covers most needs
Limitations
- No OTT Benefits: Unlike higher-priced plans, streaming subscriptions aren’t included
- 28-Day Validity: Some users might prefer longer validity periods
- Prepaid Only: Not available for postpaid customers
- Basic Features: No additional perks like data rollover or family benefits
- 5G Coverage Dependent: Value diminishes in areas without 5G availability
For users who don’t prioritize bundled entertainment subscriptions, these limitations are unlikely to detract significantly from the plan’s overall value proposition.
User Scenarios and Applications
To illustrate the practical applications of the ₹198 plan, consider these typical usage scenarios:
Remote Work Professional
Sneha uses her smartphone for work emails, professional calls, and occasional document editing. She often creates a mobile hotspot during her commute to work on her laptop. With 2GB daily data, she can comfortably handle her workday connectivity needs without worrying about exhausting her data allowance.
College Student
Rahul attends online classes three days a week and needs reliable internet for research and assignment submissions. He also stays connected with classmates through video calls and messaging apps. The ₹198 plan gives him sufficient data for educational purposes while keeping costs manageable on a student budget.
Small Business Owner
Priya runs a small online business and relies on her phone for customer communications, social media management, and payment processing. The unlimited calling feature lets her speak with suppliers and customers without restrictions, while the daily data allowance supports her business applications.
Budget-Conscious Family Member
Amit needs to stay connected with family while managing expenses carefully. The ₹198 plan gives him enough data for daily video calls with relatives, social media updates, and general web browsing without straining his monthly budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Does the Airtel ₹198 plan truly provide unlimited 5G data?
The plan includes 2GB of high-speed data per day that can be used on both 4G and 5G networks. Once the daily limit is reached, speeds are typically reduced to 64Kbps for the remainder of the day. While the 5G access itself is unlimited, the daily data quota applies regardless of whether you’re using 4G or 5G connectivity. For unlimited 5G data without daily caps, users would need to purchase additional data add-ons or subscribe to plans that specifically advertise unlimited 5G.
Q2: How does the ₹198 plan compare to similar offerings from competitors like Jio and Vi?
When compared to competitors, Airtel’s ₹198 plan offers competitive value in the budget segment. Jio typically offers similar data quantities at comparable price points, though exact benefits vary by promotion. Vi (Vodafone Idea) often includes additional benefits like weekend data bonuses but may have different base pricing. The key differentiator for Airtel is its expanding 5G network coverage and reliable service quality, which many users prioritize over marginal differences in pricing or features. For the most current competitive comparison, users should check each provider’s latest offerings as telecom plans change frequently.
Q3: Can I carry forward unused data from one day to the next with this plan?
No, the Airtel ₹198 plan does not support data rollover or carryforward. Each day’s 2GB allocation expires at midnight if unused, and a fresh 2GB becomes available at the start of the next day. This is standard practice for daily data plans across most telecom operators in India. Users who need more flexibility might consider plans with bulk data allocations rather than daily limits, though these typically offer less total data for the price.
Q4: What happens after I exhaust the 2GB daily data limit?
After consuming the 2GB daily high-speed data allowance, internet speeds are reduced to 64Kbps for the remainder of that day. While this reduced speed allows for basic messaging and very light browsing, it’s not suitable for streaming, video calls, or other data-intensive activities. Normal high-speed connectivity automatically resumes at midnight when the next day’s 2GB allocation becomes available. Users who need additional high-speed data before the daily reset can purchase data add-ons through the Airtel Thanks app or other recharge channels.
Conclusion
Airtel’s ₹198 monthly plan represents a strategic offering that balances affordability with substantial benefits in today’s connectivity-dependent world. By providing 2GB of daily high-speed data with 5G access, unlimited voice calling, and adequate SMS allowance, the plan delivers essential digital connectivity at a competitive price point.
This plan is particularly compelling for budget-conscious users who prioritize data and calling capabilities over entertainment add-ons. Students, working professionals, small business owners, and value-seeking consumers will find the ₹198 plan meets their core communication needs without unnecessary frills that drive up costs.
As 5G adoption accelerates across India, plans like this play an important role in democratizing access to next-generation connectivity. The ₹198 offering demonstrates Airtel’s commitment to providing value across diverse customer segments while maintaining its competitive position in India’s dynamic telecom landscape.
For users seeking affordable, reliable, and future-ready mobile connectivity, Airtel’s ₹198 plan deserves serious consideration as a monthly recharge option that balances cost efficiency with generous benefits.
