Vodafone offering unlimited data plans for visitors to Japan, Saudi Arabia

Here is some good news for frequent visitors to Japan or Saudi Arabia. Vodafone India has launched unlimited data plans for its customers visiting the two countries, enabling its subscribers to access the Internet while on international roaming. According to a statement by the company, the plans have been launched after an increasing number of its customers opted for the 60 percent discount packages on international tariffs introduced in June this year.

The unlimited data plans are available in three different validity options – you get three days of validity for Rs 1,499; five days for Rs 2,499, and seven days validity for Rs 3,499. Vodafone states that these plans are offered through its partnership with Softbank’s network in Japan and Mobility’s network in Saudi Arabia.

The data packages are valid only on Softbank and Mobility’s networks in these countries, though. Vodafone will charge you Rs 5.50 for every 10 KB you download while connected to any other network in these countries.

Ulimited Internet for visitors to Japan

“We constantly work to add value for our customers. There is an increasing demand for data usage while on international roaming and our latest international roaming data packages bridges this gap and guarantees affordable connectivity for our customers travelling to high traffic destinations like Japan and Saudi Arabia. Ensuring quick data access upon arrival, it addresses the needs of diverse customer segments," said Sunil Sood, Chief Operating Officer, Vodafone India.

If you wish to activate the offer, just send an SMS with ACTULJPN3/5/7 - for Japan, and  ACTULSAU3/5/7 -for Saudi Arabia (the number 3/5/7 stands for validity, basis the customer choice; only one number to be keyed in) to the toll free number 111 from Vodafone India’s home network. The rental charge for the plan chosen by the customer will feature in the billing cycle.

Vodafone is looking to spruce up its Internet offerings in India in light of heavy competition from other telecom companies. The company recently slashed its 3G tariffs following price cuts by Airtel, Reliance, Idea and Aircel. The new data plans start from Rs 25 for 25 MB data usage and go up to Rs 1,599 for 12GB of data usage. For any usage beyond the stipulated data usage on each plan, the customers will be charged at the rate of 2 paisa/ 10KB. Additionally, Vodafone currently allows its customers to use data from their bundle package while on-net roaming across any location in India without any additional charge.

Airtel’s lowest costing plan currently offers 30 minutes of high speed internet browsing for Rs 10 against its earlier offering of 10 MB at the same rate. It has raised data download on existing plans. For instance, on a recharge of Rs 100, prepaid customers will now get 300 MB of data download against their earlier entitlement of 200 MB.

Idea Cellular, have also followed suit and in June this year announced a reduction in 3G tariffs by a whopping 70 percent. Idea prepaid and postpaid customers will now pay 3 paisa/ 10KB of data, a reduction of 70 percent from the earlier 10 paisa/ 10KB.