Vodafone slashes 2G data tariff by 80 percent

Vodafone has dropped mobile Internet charges by 80 percent across the nation. It now brings 2G data rates on Pay As You Go (PAYG) mode equal to 3G rates. In mid-June, the service operator had first announced the 2G price slash in its three circles - Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh West and Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Post success of the pilot launch in these three circles, Vodafone has decided to roll out the rates in rest of the country.  The new rates will be applicable starting November 1, 2013. Per the new rates, 2G data charges (on PAYG) – after price cut – will be reduced to 2p/10kb. Earlier it was priced at 10p/10KB. This also means that the new PAYG rates are same for both 2G as well as 3G.

2G data plans get a price cut

In June, Vodafone India had offered similar price slash on its 3G data. The PAYG rate for prepaid customers, which is touted by the company as the most competitive and lowest in the market, saw 80 percent price slash with charges as low as 2p/10kb. It had also introduced plans starting from Rs 25 for 25 MB data usage and went up to Rs. 1,599 for 12GB of data usage. For any use beyond the stipulated data usage on each plan, the customers are charged at the rate of 2p/10kb.

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In order to boost 3G adoption, Vodafone has also launched ‘Be Smart’ mobile Internet initiative in Mumbai. The initiative is aimed at users with HSPA handsets and it looks to convey through it the “need for synergising 3G technology” on these handsets, for a better mobile experience.

With inputs from news agencies