Reliance Jio 4G effect: Idea cellular now cuts rates on BIG internet packs over 2GB limit

Idea cellular on Monday unleashed a tariff battle with new rates for its high speed 4G/3G mobile internet packs. The 'BIG' data packs, those that offer more than 1GB download, will now see huge reduction in rates.

The telco's entry-level 2GB data pack is now priced at Rs. 349 from the earlier Rs. 449. A 10GB pack will cost Rs. 990. The largest rate cut comes with 5GB data pack with a new price of Rs. 649 from Rs. 849 earlier.

On July 15, Idea increased its download limit up to 45 percent across all its mobile internet customers spanning all generations of 2G, 3G or 4G internet users. The offer was limited to small internet users subscribing to data packs or sachets below 1 GB. Following which, India's biggest telco Bharti Airtel too increased its download limit up to 67 percent across packs. However, Airtel threw its offer open to both small and big categories of internet users.

India's third largest mobile company, Idea, on Monday continued tweaking its offer with a new rate cut plan on existing internet packs.

Real Time News Asia reported that the tariff war was in preparation to fight the announcement by Reliance Jio, a new entrant owned by giant Reliance Industries, to roll out its 4G network across the country in August.

Along with Vodafone, Airtel and Idea are the three companies that hold 85 percent of mobile internet market. They have so far kept the prices of their internet in close range, with all three offering 1GB packs for Rs. 250 and 10GB between Rs. 1350 and Rs. 1,500.

Idea Cellular's chief marketing officer Sashi Shankar on Friday said the company's more data offer last week was aimed at inducting more users into the world of internet. He added: "the reduction in rates of BIG Recharge packs now, is aimed at delivering significantly higher Value for Money to our regular internet users."

New Monthly Packs for Idea Cellular Pre-paid subscribers