Technology Desk: This festive season is going to have another impact on the pockets of mobile users. Airtel has increased the prices of its postpaid plans. According to the company, the new prices have come into effect across the country from October 8, 2026.
The company has increased the prices of different postpaid plans by about 3 to 10 percent. However, along with increasing the price, Airtel has also given a new benefit to the customers, now with the postpaid plan, free international roaming pack will be available once a year.
That means, if you travel abroad, you can get some benefit of the increased price while roaming. But for customers who do not travel abroad, this additional expense may be more significant.
₹449 plan now ₹499
Many major changes have been made in Airtel's new rate card.
Single SIM plan: increased from ₹449 to ₹499 per month
Family plan with 2 SIMs: increased from ₹699 to ₹749 per month
Family plan with 3 SIMs: increased from ₹999 to ₹1,049 per month
4 SIM Family Plan: ₹1,249 and ₹1,449 options
Premium plan with 5 SIMs: ₹1,799 per month
This means that now customers will have to spend ₹ 50 more every month only on the initial postpaid plan. This additional expense can reach up to ₹600 in a year.
Benefit of Netflix in 5 SIM plans
Airtel has also included a subscription to Netflix Standard in its 5-SIM ₹1,799 Premium Family plan. This means that you will get the benefit of OTT entertainment along with multiple mobile connections in a single plan.
If the price increased then you also got free international roaming
Along with making the plans expensive, Airtel has announced to give the benefit of international roaming to the customers. Now under the new postpaid plan, it has been said that one complimentary international roaming pack will be available per SIM every year.
When traveling abroad this pack includes:
5GB high-speed data
60 minutes calling
25 outgoing SMS
Incoming SMS free
Validity of 5 days after reaching abroad
Will get it.
This means that customers going abroad may have less need to purchase a separate roaming pack.
Claims of protection from spam and fraud with 5G
Airtel has not limited the changes only to price and roaming. The company says that with the new plans, customers will get the benefit of better 5G network experience and fast lane technology. Apart from this, facilities like spam and fraud protection are also being provided to protect against unwanted calls and online fraud.
What changed for existing customers?
The new rates have come into effect from 8 October 2026. New postpaid customers will now be able to avail the plan at the new prices only. Existing customers can also upgrade to the new plans and the additional benefits that come with them.
Benefit to customers or additional cost?
Instead of increasing the price, Airtel has tried to add benefits like international roaming, 5G and security. But the utility of these features will not be the same for every customer.
Free roaming can be a big advantage for customers who travel abroad. Those who do not go abroad will be the first to feel the increased monthly bill.
Now it remains to be seen how much customers accept these additional features as compensation for the price increase after this new postpaid rate card of Airtel.