JioBoycott and BSNL Ki Ghar Wapsi Trends Erupt on X Following Price Hike

Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, the three biggest telecom companies in India, have simultaneously decided to increase the prices of their data plans. This significant price hike has affected a vast number of users across the country, leading to widespread dissatisfaction with the higher costs.

User Backlash on Social Media

In response to the price hikes, many users on X (formerly Twitter) have started expressing their frustration. The trend 'JioBoycott' has gained significant traction, with over 40,000 posts.

Users are complaining about the sudden and substantial increase in prices. Additionally, there is a growing movement to promote BSNL as an alternative due to its lower prices compared to the other three telcos.

Changes to Unlimited 5G Plans

Reliance Jio and Airtel have also removed 'unlimited 5G' from some of their more affordable plans. This change means that users who previously met their daily data requirements with these plans can no longer do so, despite paying more for the same plan.

The removal of unlimited 5G access has further fueled the discontent among users.

Rise of 'BSNL Ki Ghar Wapsi' Trend

Parallel to the 'JioBoycott' trend, the 'BSNL Ki Ghar Wapsi' trend is also gaining momentum on X, with over 45,000 posts. This trend reflects a growing positive sentiment towards BSNL, the state-owned telecom company.

BSNL offers much cheaper plans compared to Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea. Users on X seem willing to forgo 5G connectivity in favor of the more affordable BSNL plans.

Comparative Analysis of Data Plans

The BSNL plan providing 2GB of data per day for 30 days is priced at Rs 199 (UP West Circle). In contrast, Airtel charges Rs 379 for a similar plan, and Reliance Jio charges Rs 349 for 28 days. This significant price difference highlights why many users are considering switching to BSNL.

Impact on Annual Recharge Plans

Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea have also increased the prices of their prepaid and postpaid plans by up to Rs 600. The most substantial price hike is seen in the annual recharge plans of both Airtel and Jio.

For example, the plan that was previously priced at Rs 2,999 has now been increased to Rs 3,599.

Telecom Companies' Justification

The telecom companies have justified the price hikes by stating that the increased charges are necessary to maintain a healthy average revenue per user (ARPU).

The new prices came into effect on July 3 for Airtel and Jio, and on July 4 for Vodafone Idea. Airtel explained in a statement, "We believe that this level of ARPU will enable the substantial investments required in network technology and spectrum and offer a modest return on capital."

Conclusion

The simultaneous price hikes by Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea have led to significant user backlash on social media. Trends like 'JioBoycott' and 'BSNL Ki Ghar Wapsi' reflect the dissatisfaction and shift in user preferences towards more affordable options like BSNL. As the telecom giants justify their decision based on the need for investment in technology and network improvements, the impact on their user base and market dynamics remains to be seen.