Bharti Airtel has introduced complimentary international roaming on all its postpaid plans, while raising monthly tariffs by ₹50. The move comes weeks after Vodafone Idea rolled out free international roaming benefits for select prepaid, postpaid and enterprise customers.
Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom operator, said the free roaming benefit can be used for one international trip every year.
Following the ₹50 tariff increase, Airtel’s postpaid plans now start at ₹499 for an individual customer.
The revised monthly tariffs are:
₹499 for one user
₹749 for two users
₹1,049 for three users
₹1,249 and ₹1,449 for four users
₹1,799 for five users under a family plan
The complimentary international roaming pack comes with five-day validity and includes:
5GB international data
60 minutes of calls
25 outgoing SMS
Free incoming SMS
Customers on Airtel family postpaid plans will get the international roaming benefit separately for every member included in the plan.
Airtel said the addition is part of its effort to strengthen the value proposition of its postpaid service, which already includes 5G-related network features, spam and fraud protection, and access to entertainment and other digital services.
The announcement follows a similar offer from Vodafone Idea, which recently introduced free international roaming for eligible prepaid, postpaid and enterprise customers.
Vodafone Idea allows customers to use the benefit for up to three international trips a year, depending on the plan. Eligible postpaid plans start at ₹501, while the facility is also available with annual prepaid unlimited-data plans and select corporate plans starting at ₹451.
Vodafone Idea has said the benefit could help eligible customers save up to ₹9,000 annually.
Telecom operators are adding international roaming benefits at a time when overseas travel has become more expensive, with higher airfares and inflation adding to the overall cost of international trips.
