Airtel – Information, Plans & Benefits (2022)
Bharti Airtel Limited, popularly known as Airtel, is an Indian telecom service provider multinational company with its headquarters based in New Delhi. Airtel provides 2G, 3G, and 4G LTE mobile services along with fixed-line broadband and voice services across the country. The mobile services are mainly available in the form of prepaid and postpaid and the broadband services are famously known as Airtel Xstream service, which also includes a DTH (direct-to-home) service.
The brand has been successfully running in the country for over 26 years now and it is the second-largest mobile network operator in India and the third-largest mobile network operator in the world, at present. You will find all the relevant information on Airtel’s service offerings and plans in this article written below.
Last updated in: November 2022
Airtel India – Products and Services
Airtel has a wide range of telecom services to offer, and that too all of them at competitive prices. The network operator offers mobile services mainly through prepaid and postpaid connections. For broadband and DTH connections, the company has its Airtel Xstream services. The broadband service provides plans with internet speeds starting from 40 Mbps going all the way up to 1 Gbps. Recently Airtel also launched its new service that goes by the name of Airtel Black. We have mentioned further details regarding that in the sections below.
Airtel Mobile – Prepaid and Postpaid
Airtel mobile services have always been quite popular in the country as they’ve always been known to adapt to market demands and trends and provide the customers accordingly. Their prepaid plans that include both data and calling start from as low as ₹99. On the other hand, the postpaid plans by Airtel also come in various options with a starting price of ₹399 and can go up to ₹1,599.
Airtel Broadband
As the requirement of working from home has significantly increased over the last couple of years, having a good broadband internet connection has become a necessity. Airtel, as a service provider is aware of that and offers its customers a high-speed broadband connection with plans starting at a moderate monthly price of just ₹499. Airtel offers both capped as well as unlimited download broadband plans. However, Airtel’s unlimited plans are subject to FUP (fair usage policy).
Airtel Xstream Box
Airtel Xstream box is a direct-to-home (DTH) television box that converts your regular TV into a smart TV. It works very similarly to a Firestick, android tv set-top box. Along with this box, you get a smart remote, which will allow you to search any channel or show by just giving a command. Even voice command, yes. With the Airtel Xstream box, a user gets to enjoy various online content from several renowned OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hostar and more. It also has a built-in Chromecast feature that allows users to discover content using the voice search with the help of Google Assistant.
Airtel Xstream App
Airtel Xstream app, which was earlier known as ‘Airtel TV app’, is a free video streaming app available on Android and iOS. One can stream more than 350 Live TV channels, more than 10,000 movies, 100+ TV shows, tons of Music video, and more across 14 different languages. Anyone with an Airtel connection can access Airtel Xstream. This can be in form of mobile (prepaid and postpaid), broadband, and DTH connections. A non Airtel user can register or browse, but cannot stream content on the Airtel Xstream app.
Airtel Black
This is one of Airtel’s latest addition to their service offerings. Airtel Black is known to be India’s first all-in-one solution for homes. The idea behind this service was to merge various aspects of telecom plans that a user purchases, but all of them are categorised into one single plan. A customer can choose to merge mobile and broadband services in an inclusive plan and pay for them at once.
Airtel Payments Bank
Launched in January 2017, Airtel payments bank is a financial service feature offered by the giant telecom company, Airtel. With this service, the company aims to make banking more accessible, inclusive and simple for every Indian. The service includes adding/sending money, all kinds of bill payments, loan services, and more.
Airtel Prepaid Plans – Plans, Offers & Recharges
Airtel prepaid offers are plans across price segments for users to have a wide variety to choose from. The cheapest Airtel recharge plan comes at ₹10 which only includes a talktime value of ₹7.47 and the most expensive plan is the international roaming plan by Airtel which is priced at ₹14,999.
What are the Airtel prepaid plans?
Airtel prepaid plans are the ones that are paid for, before utilisation of the service. These prepaid plans come in various prices and data/calling offerings that cater to everyone’s requirements. Due to stiff competition in the market, most operators keep their price ranges very similar to each other, especially when it comes to prepaid plans as there’s a huge demand for this type of connection. Below mentioned are all the popular prepaid plans by Airtel:| Plan Type | Price | Data/Calls | Validity | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talktime | ₹10 | Talktime worth ₹7.47 | Unlimited | – |
| Talktime | ₹100 | Talktime worth ₹81.75 | Unlimited | – |
| Smart Recharge | ₹99 | 200 MB data and Talktime worth ₹99 | 28 Days | – |
| Truly Unlimited | ₹179 | 2 GB data and unlimited calls | 28 Days |
|
| Truly Unlimited | ₹209 | 1 GB/day and unlimited calls | 21 Days |
|
| Truly Unlimited | ₹299 | 1.5 GB/day and unlimited calls | 28 Days |
|
| Truly Unlimited | ₹359 | 2 GB/day and unlimited calls | 28 Days |
|
| Truly Unlimited | ₹455 | 6 GB data and unlimited calls | 84 Days |
|
| Truly Unlimited | ₹499 | 2 GB/day and unlimited calls | 28 Days |
|
| Truly Unlimited | ₹599 | 3 GB/day and unlimited calls | 28 Days |
|
| Truly Unlimited | ₹1,799 | 24 GB Data and unlimited calls | 365 Days |
|
| Truly Unlimited | ₹2,999 | 2 GB/day and unlimited calls | 365 Days |
|
Which is the cheapest Airtel prepaid plan?
Here you will find the cheapest prepaid plan by Airtel as per its type. Check them in the table below:| Type | Price | Data/Calls | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| For calls only | ₹10 | Talktime worth ₹7.47 | Unlimited |
| For data and calls | ₹99 | 200 MB data and Talktime worth ₹99 | 28 Days |
Which is the best Airtel prepaid plan?
The definition of best is subjective and varies from person to person. For some users, having limited data and unlimited calling works better whereas, for some others, a high-data limit is a must. As per Switcheroo, the best-prepaid plan by Airtel is the ₹359 plan as it includes 2 GB of data per day, unlimited voice calls, 100 SMS per day and some value & entertainment benefits. It offers a good amount of everything one can get from a prepaid plan. You can find all the details of the plan in the table below.| Price | Data/Calls | Validity | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹359 | 2 GB/day and unlimited calls | 28 Days | Amazon Prime – Mobile Edition Free Trial, Xstream mobile pack, Free courses with Shaw Academy, Rs 100 cashback with FASTag, Free Hellotunes, and Wynk Music |
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Airtel Recharge Plans
Considering the diverse range of prepaid services that are offered by Airtel such as mobile, broadband and DTH, all of them come along with their recharge plans. Let’s look at all of these different kinds of recharge plans provided by Airtel.
How to recharge your Airtel prepaid number?
There are various ways through which you can recharge your Airtel prepaid number. We have listed down a few of them for you.
Airtel recharge via Website
- Visit the Airtel website and log in using your MPIN
- Click on the ‘Payment and Recharges’ tab.
- Select ‘Prepaid Recharge’. Enter your mobile number and select your operator.
- Browse from a list of plans and pick one that’s best for you.
- Enter the recharge amount and click on ‘Proceed’.
Airtel recharge using MyAirtel app
- Log in to My Airtel App
- Click on ‘Recharge’ option
- Select ‘Mobile’ and enter your Airtel mobile number
- Browse from a list of plans and pick one that suits you best
- Enter the recharge amount and click on ‘Pay Now’.
Airtel recharge using Payment apps (Eg: PayTM)
- Log on to paytm.com
- Choose the Prepaid option for recharge.
- Enter your mobile number in the dialog box.
- Select your operator as ‘Airtel’. Then select your circle for e.g. Delhi/NCR.
- Enter the amount of recharge or browse through the available plans.
- Look out for promo codes/discount in your recharge plans.
- Proceed to Recharge and pay the amount.
Airtel data recharge
Airtel offers recharge plans that are solely for adding more internet data. These data recharges are only applicable on existing plans, which means that you need to have an ongoing plan to add this data pack with. Check out the data and net pack recharges offered by Airtel.
| Price | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| ₹19 | 1 GB | 1 Day |
| ₹58 | 3 GB | As per the existing plan |
| ₹98 | 3 GB | As per the existing plan |
| ₹108 | 6 GB | As per the existing plan |
| ₹118 | 12 GB | As per the existing plan | ₹148 | 15 GB | As per the existing plan |
| ₹301 | 50 GB | As per the existing plan |
Airtel DTH recharge plans
Airtel also offers a DTH (direct-to-home) service across the country. With this DTH service, a user can watch all his/her favourite tv shows, news, LIVE sports, the latest movies, etc. As there are a lot of plans available, we have decided to list down some of the popular DTH plans offered by Airtel. To view all the Airtel DTH plans, visit here.
| Pack Name | Price | Total Channels | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airtel Digital TV hindi value lite SD pack | ₹247 | 74 | 1 month |
| Airtel Digital TV MAH sports SD Plus pack | ₹360 | 116 | 1 month |
| Airtel Digital TV Dabang HD pack | ₹390 | 104 | 1 month |
| Airtel Digital TV Gujarat Value Sports HD pack | ₹466 | 121 | 1 month |
Airtel Validity extension recharge plans
Airtel offers its users special plans that help them keep their number active. These plans are known as ‘validity extension plans’ and is ideal for users who want to keep their number active despite not using it frequently. These plans are usually moderate in terms of their pricing. We have listed them below.
| Price | Data | Talktime | Validity | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₹45 | – | – | 28 Days | Local and STD calls at 2.5 paise/second, local SMS at ₹1 |
| ₹49 | 100 MB | ₹38.52 | 28 Days | – |
| ₹79 | 200 MB | ₹64 | 28 Days | Local, STD and landline calls at 60 paise/minute |
How to recharge?
If you prefer not browsing through different payment websites, Airtel provides the option of recharging with ease on its own website itself. Depending on the type of recharge, there’s a landing page for all kinds of services whether it’s mobile, broadband, or DTH. If you would also like to recharge through the Airtel website, these links could come in handy.
| Prepaid Recharge Type | Link |
|---|---|
| Mobile | Mobile Recharge |
| Broadband | Broadband Recharge |
| DTH | DTH Recharge |
How to check Airtel balance?
In order to check your Airtel balance, you can opt for the two most preferred and easy methods. One of them being through the Airtel Thanks app and the other one through USSD code. Here’s how it can be done.
Checking Airtel balance in Airtel Thanks app
- Open the Airtel Thanks app and enter your mobile number to access the features. Download the app from the app store in case you don’t have it.
- Now select the ‘Services’ section. You will find it in the bottom left corner of the app.
- Right there you will find details of your active recharge, data usage, SMS balance, and all the information that you may need.
- The app will also display your Airtel recharge pack validity.
Checking Airtel balance using USSD code
- To check the main balance, dial *123#. The balance information will soon reflect on your screen in a few seconds.
- For checking your Airtel net balance, dial *123*10#. This is exclusive to prepaid customers only.
- To know more about various offers on your Airtel number, you can dial *121#
Airtel Postpaid – Plans and Offers
Airtel postpaid plans too come at competitive prices and offer a lot of value and entertainment benefits to the customers. Recently, the company updates its postpaid plans to make it more comprehensive and inclusive for its users. Before, the postpaid plans would start at ₹199 and now, the starting price for an Airtel postpaid plan is from ₹399 onwards.
What are the Airtel postpaid plans?
We have compiled all the information on Airtel postpaid plans so that you can view, compare and choose the one that suits your requirements. Check them out below.| Price (monthly) | Data (with Rollover) | Calls | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹399 | 40 GB | Unlimited |
|
| ₹499 | 75 GB | Unlimited |
|
| ₹999 (+2 family add-ons) | 150 GB | Unlimited |
|
| ₹1,599 (+1 family add-on) | 500 GB | Unlimited + 200 minutes of ISD calls |
|
How to pick the best Airtel postpaid plan?
There are numerous factors that go into determining the best postpaid plan. These factors can be based on call/SMS, roaming charges, data rollover, and more. For each individual, a different feature of a postpaid plan could be more valuable than the other. We have listed down a few factors to make things slightly easier for you.- Calling and SMS – All mobile plans by Airtel offer calling and SMS feature, especially the postpaid plans. Most plans offer unlimited calling and a set number of free SMSes. This is one of the most essential factors and can be kept in mind when choosing a postpaid plan.
- Data-Rollover – Data rollover, in simple terms, means the amount of data that is left from the existing plan can be carried forward into the next month and get added onto your next month’s plan. Airtel offers a data rollover feature amongst its postpaid plans.
- Customer Service – Customer service is another important factor that plays a crucial role in choosing a plan. It’s essential for a customer to have an active customer care service in place, whenever there’s a query or a complaint.
- Family Plans – Most of the big telecom providers, including Airtel have started offering an option to have a family plan that’s included in their postpaid plans. These plans allow more 2 or 3 more users apart from the actual user to utilise the features and benefits of the subscribed postpaid plan. So if you have a family or close friends with whom you could share a common postpaid plan, this feature can be beneficial for you.
Which is the cheapest Airtel postpaid plan?
The cheapest postpaid plan by Airtel is the ₹399 plan which includes 40 GB of data with a rollover option for the following month. The other details are in the table below.| Price (monthly) | Data (with Rollover) | Calls | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹399 | 40 GB | Unlimited | Subscription to Airtel Xstream app |
What is the best Airtel postpaid plan?
Similar to when choosing the best-prepaid plan, deciding the best postpaid plan also depends on each user and their suitable requirements. For an individual that does not require a high amount of data and prefers to use more calling/SMS features, Airtel’s ₹399 postpaid plan can be the best. On the other hand, for someone who prefers sharing their plan along with their loved ones and wants more than enough data limit and unlimited calling, Airtel’s ₹1,599 plan can be ideal for them.As per Switcheroo, the best Airtel postpaid plan is the ₹999 plan as it offers 2 free family add-ons on the existing plan which no other plan in the postpaid category does.
| Price (monthly) | Data (with Rollover) | Calls | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹999 (+2 free family add-ons) | 150 GB | Unlimited |
|
Benefits of Airtel postpaid
There are quite a few benefits that one can enjoy when they subscribe to Airtel’s postpaid plan. Here’s a list of some of the benefits.- Unlimited calling – Local, STD, and National Roaming
- 4G VoLTE technology
- High-speed Internet Data (depending on the plan)
- Data rollover feature
- One year free subscription to Amazon Prime (on plans above ₹399)
- One-year free subscription to Disney+ Hotstar (on plans above ₹399)
- Add-on connection for family. One plan for the full family.
- Easy bill payment facility
- Free 200 ISD minutes & 10% off on International roaming packs (only available on ₹1599 plan)
- Various rewards through Airtel Thanks
Airtel postpaid plans for family
Airtel gives its users an option to include their loved ones on a single postpaid plan through the option of add-on services. This means that one plan and one single bill for multiple users, with data and calling that is sufficient for everyone. Here are the family plans by Airtel postpaid.| Price (monthly) | Number of free add-ons | Data (with Rollover) | Calls | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₹999 | 2 | 150 GB | Unlimited |
|
| ₹1,599 | 1 | 500 GB | Unlimited + 200 minutes of ISD calls |
|
Airtel postpaid bill payment
If you’re still wondering as to ‘how can I pay my postpaid bill?’, then don’t worry, all you have to do is follow these simple steps given below.- Log on to the website
- Enter your mobile number
- If you know the exact amount, then enter it right away. Otherwise, click on the ‘check bill amount’ option
- Click on ‘Pay Bill’
- Select your method of payment and that’s all
Airtel Broadband – Information and Plans
Airtel broadband, which goes by the name of Airtel Xstream Fiber offers multiple broadband plans to its customers with a different set of data limits, internet speeds and added value benefits. Let’s look at all the Airtel Xstream Fiber plans below.
What is Airtel Xstream Fiber?
Airtel Xstream Fiber is a broadband service by Airtel and it is one of the fastest broadband networks in the country. It provides a fiber-optic network connection for a seamless internet experience. Airtel Xstream Fiber promises to connect up to a massive number of 64 devices to the broadband connection or WiFi router and operate them without hampering the internet speed.
Airtel Xstream Fiber Plans
The broadband internet plans provided through Airtel Xstream Fiber are available in 5 different kinds of plans. The starting price is ₹499 and the most expensive plan comes for ₹3,999. Check out the details of the plans here.| Plan Name | Price (monthly) | Internet Speed | Calls | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | ₹499 | Upto 40 Mbps | Unlimited local and STD | Wynk Music, Free courses on Shaw Academy |
| Standard | ₹799 | Upto 100 Mbps | Unlimited local and STD | Wynk Music, Free courses on Shaw Academy |
| Entertainment | ₹999 | Upto 200 Mbps | Unlimited local and STD | Amazon Prime subscription, Wynk Music, Free courses on Shaw Academy |
| Professional | ₹1,499 | Upto 300 Mbps | Unlimited local and STD | Amazon Prime subscription, Wynk Music, Free courses on Shaw Academy |
| Infinity | ₹3,999 | Upto 1 Gbps | Unlimited local and STD | Amazon Prime subscription, Wynk Music, Free courses on Shaw Academy |
What are the benefits of Airtel Xstream?
As Airtel is one of the most preferred internet service providers in the country, their services are bound to offer various benefits in order to retain as well as increase their customer base. Here are some of the key benefits of having an Airtel Xstream connection:- Super-fast and seamless access to the internet
- Download heavy files with ease
- Reliable transmission of data
- Unlimited Data up to 1 Gbps speed
- Fixed-line service with unlimited calls
- Added on value and entertainment benefits
- Easy to purchase home internet packages
How to get a new Airtel broadband connection?
The process of getting a new Airtel broadband connection is quite simple. Here’s how it can be done.- Visit the Airtel broadband page
- Select best internet plan
- Fill the form and submit it
- After that, you will get a new broadband connection installed at your preferred address.
What are the installation costs for Airtel broadband? Airtel has not specifically mentioned the installation charges for a broadband connection. However, it is mentioned on the website that a router will be provided free of cost irrespective of any Airtel broadband plan you may choose.
What is Airtel Black?
Airtel Black is an all-in-one solution for customers utilising mobile, broadband and DTH services. A customer can bundle 2 or more of Airtel services (Fiber, DTH, Mobile) together to become an Airtel Black member. This entitles a customer to one single bill, one specific Customer Care number with a dedicated team of relationship managers, and priority resolution of faults and issues. All of this also comes with the amazing value of zero-switching and installation costs topped with free service visits for life.
What are the benefits of Airtel Black?
- One bill and one call center
- Dedicated Relationship team
- Priority resolution
- Call pick-up in 60 seconds or immediate call-back
- Free service visits
- Buy now and pay later at Airtel shop
What are the Airtel Black plans?
There are specific plans curated especially for Airtel Black members. We have compiled them for you. There is also an option for customers to combine any new service with their existing service (for example, adding a DTH plan along with your existing postpaid mobile plan) and enjoy the first 30 days free of charge. Here are all the plans:| Plan Name | Price (monthly) | Postpaid (Mobile) | Fiber & Landline | DTH | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airtel Black 998 Plan | ₹998 | 2 connections, 105 GB data, Unlimited calls | – | ₹350 worth of TV channels | 1 year of Amazon Prime and Airtel Xstream App |
| Airtel Black 1098 Plan | ₹1,098 | 75 GB data, Unlimited calls | Unlimited internet upto 100 Mbps, Unlimited calls | – | 1 year of Amazon Prime |
| Airtel Black 1099 Plan | ₹1,099 | – | Unlimited internet upto 200 Mbps, Unlimited calls | ₹350 worth of TV channels | 1 year of Amazon Prime and Airtel Xstream App |
| Airtel Black 1598 Plan | ₹1,598 | 2 connections, 105 GB data, Unlimited calls | Unlimited internet upto 200 Mbps, Unlimited calls | – | 1 year of Amazon Prime and Airtel Xstream App |
| Airtel Black 2099 Plan | ₹2,099 | 3 connections, 260 GB data, Unlimited calls | Unlimited internet upto 200 Mbps, Unlimited calls | ₹424 worth of TV channels | 1 year of Amazon Prime and Airtel Xstream App |
What is Airtel Payments Bank?
Airtel Payments Bank was launched in January 2017. It is an Indian payments bank with its headquarters in New Delhi. The company is a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel and offers banking services such as digital payments, insurances, and pensions.
What are the features of Airtel payments bank?
There are quite a few features that one can access with Airtel Payments Bank. You can:- Open a Savings Bank account at any of our 5 lakh+ banking points
- Get free personal accident insurance cover of Rs 1 Lac
- Earn up to 6.0% rate of interest
- Get an online debit card
- Deposit cash at any Banking Point in your vicinity
- Withdraw cash through our banking points or select bank ATMs
- Buy third party insurance products
- Transfer money to any bank account in India through IMPS or UPI
- Recharge prepaid mobiles/DTH and pay utility bills (electricity, water, gas, postpaid, etc.)
- Book bus and train tickets
Is Airtel Payment bank safe?
Airtel Payments bank uses its own security feature known as ‘Safe Pay’. It is a feature that can be availed by Airtel Payments Bank Savings Account customers with an Airtel Mobile number linked to the account.By enabling safe pay, a customer can rest assured that:
➡️ They will not be charged for responding to Safe Pay alerts.
➡️ No transaction will go through without their confirmation.
➡️ There is an additional layer of security, a 3rd-factor authentication which no other bank or wallet provides.
Airtel – Customer Care
Airtel has ensured to provide a dedicated helpline for all its services such as mobile, broadband and DTH. For quick help, the service provider recommends downloading the Airtel Thanks app for recharges, banking and instant help & support. You can download that here.
How to contact Airtel Customer care?
Here’s how you can contact Airtel customer care for various services, depending on your requirements.| Service | Purpose | Contact Details |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile – Prepaid and Postpaid | For enquiries and requests | Call 121 |
| Mobile – Prepaid and Postpaid | For complaints | Call 198 |
| Broadband | For enquiries or complaints | Call 121 from your landline |
| DTH | For enquiries or complaints | Call 12150 from your registered number |
FAQ
How much does Airtel postpaid SIM cost?
The cost for an Airtel SIM varies depending on the plan you subscribe to. Airtel’s postpaid plans offer new users a SIM absolutely free of cost.
How does the Airtel Xstream box work?
The Airtel Xstream Box runs on Android 9.0 Pie-based Android TV OS and through the Google Play Store has access to 5000+ Apps and Games. Popular streaming OTT apps can be installed along with the usual DTH functionality.
I have an Airtel prepaid number, can I add it to the Airtel Black plan?
Unfortunately, you cannot add a prepaid number to the Airtel Black plan, only Postpaid connections can be added to utilise its benefits. However, you can easily upgrade your prepaid number to a postpaid in a few steps with the help of Airtel customer care or via the Airtel Thanks App, and simultaneously become an Airtel Black customer.
As an existing user, how can I activate my new 4G SIM?
Here are the steps to activate your new 4G SIM:
- SMS SIM to 121
- You will receive a confirmation SMS in your inbox. Reply with 1
- Listen to the confirmation call you receive immediately and give your consent by replying with 1
What are the additional benefits of getting Airtel prepaid connection?
Airtel Prepaid comes with a range of benefits that are sure to delight you at each step of the way. Here are some of the key benefits:
1) Wynk Music: Enjoy the latest music from your favourite movies and artists on your phone.
2) Norton Mobile Security: Protect your smartphone from all kinds of security threats.
3) Airtel TV Premium: Watch HOOQ, 350+ Live TV channels, 10k+ movies & more.
Updated on 11 Mar, 2022
Fateem Ahmed
Energy Specialist & Copywriter
Born in India, raised in Dubai and now working with us in Barcelona, Fateem is the latest addition to our team at Papernest. He has been a part of the Switcheroo project from day one and ensures to provide you with all the latest information on the mobile and broadband internet updates in India.
Born in India, raised in Dubai and now working with us in Barcelona, Fateem is the latest addition to our team at Papernest. He has been a part of the Switcheroo project from day one and ensures to provide you with all the latest information on the mobile and broadband internet updates in India.
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