Airtel vs. BSNL: Comparing Recharge Plans, Postpaid and Price

Airtel vs. BSNL: Comparing Recharge Plans, Postpaid and Price

Airtel vs. BSNL: Comparing Recharge Plans, Postpaid and Price

airtel vs bsnl

Airtel has almost 334 million subscribers and stands in the 2nd position. At the same time, BSNL has a subscriber base of 122 million users and stalls at 4th position in the Indian telecommunication market.


Since 2019, Airtel has had a full 4G spectrum, whereas BSNL has not yet succeeded in providing 4G services across all the states in India. Nevertheless, Airtel cannot compete with the widespread coverage that the BSNL offers, especially in the rural and hilly areas.

Let’s compare Airtel and BSNL and all the services one by one in this article.

Airtel vs. BSNL prepaid plans

For talk-time recharges, both have the same plans, but both the company offers excellent benefits when it comes to monthly rental packs.

Let’s compare Airtel vs. BSNL prepaid plans now.

Airtel monthly prepaid plan
Airtel PlansVoice & BenefitsDataSMSValidity
Rs. 129Unlimited1 GB300 SMS24 Days
Rs. 149Unlimited2 GB300 SMS28 Days
Rs. 199Unlimited1 GB / Day100 SMS / Day24 Days
Rs. 219Unlimited1 GB / Day100 SMS / Day28 Days
Rs. 249Unlimited1.5 GB / Day100 SMS / Day28 Days
Rs. 279Unlimited1.5 GB / Day100 SMS / Day28 Days
Rs. 289Unlimited1.5 GB / Day100 SMS / Day28 Days
Rs. 298Unlimited2 GB / Day100 SMS / Day28 Days
Rs. 299Unlimited

Free Amazon Prime Video

1.5 GB / Day100 SMS / Day28 Days
Rs. 349Unlimited2 GB / Day100 SMS / Day28 Days
Rs. 398Unlimited3 GB / Day100 SMS / Day28 Days
Rs. 448Unlimited

Free Disney plus Hotstar VIP 1 year subscription.

3 GB / Day100 SMS / Day28 Days
BSNL monthly prepaid plans
BSNL PlansVoice & BenefitsDataSMSValidity
Rs. 118Unlimited

Free PRBT

500 MB / Day100 SMS / Day26 Days
Rs. 147Unlimited

Free BSNL tunes

10 GBNA30 Days
Rs. 187Unlimited2 GB / Day100 SMS / Day28 Days
Rs. 247Unlimited

Free PRBT

Free EROS Now Entertainment subscription

3 GB / Day100 SMS / Day30 Days
Rs. 398UnlimitedUnlimited100 SMS / Day30 Days

Let’s look into the two months Airtel vs. BSNL prepaid plans comparison now:

Two months Airtel prepaid plans
Airtel PlansVoice & BenefitsDataSMSValidity
Rs. 399Unlimited1.5 GB / Day100 SMS / Day56 Days
Rs. 449Unlimited2 GB / Day100 SMS / Day56 Days
Rs. 599Unlimited Calls

Disney Plus Hotstar VIP 1 year subscription

2 GB / Day100 SMS / Day56 Days
Two months BSNL prepaid plans
BSNL PlansVoice & BenefitsDataSMSValidity
Rs. 297Unlimited Calls
EROS Now Entertainment free subscription
1 GB / Day100 SMS / Day54 Days

Airtel vs. BSNL prepaid plans of three months rental pack:

Three months Airtel prepaid plans
Airtel PlansVoice & BenefitsDataSMSValidity
Rs. 598Unlimited Calls1.5 GB / Day100 SMS / Day84 Days
Rs. 698Unlimited Calls2 GB / Day100 SMS / Day84 Days
Rs. 599Unlimited Calls

Disney Plus Hotstar VIP 1 year subscription

2 GB / Day100 SMS / Day56 Days
Three months BSNL prepaid plans
BSNL PlansVoice & BenefitsDataSMSValidity
Rs. 429Unlimited Calls

Free Eros Now Entertainment subscription

1 GB / Day100 SMS / Day81 Days
Rs. 599Unlimited Calls

Free PRBT

5 GB / Day100 SMS / Day84 Days

Airtel vs. BSNL annual prepaid plans:

Annual Airtel prepaid plan
Airtel PlansVoice & BenefitsDataSMSValidity
Rs. 1498Unlimited Calls24 GB3600 SMS365 Days
Rs. 2498Unlimited Calls2 GB / Day100 SMS / Day365 Days
Rs. 2698Unlimited Calls

Disney Plus Hotstar VIP 1 year subscription

2 GB / Day100 SMS / Day365 Days
Annual BSNL prepaid plan
BSNL PlansVoice & BenefitsDataSMSValidity
Rs. 1499Unlimited Calls24 GB100 SMS / Day365 Days
Rs. 1999Unlimited Calls

Free PRBT

2 GB / Day100 SMS / Day365 Days
Rs. 2399Unlimited Calls

Free PRBT

Free Eros Now Entertainment subscription

3 GB / Day100 SMS / Day365 Days

Airtel vs. BSNL postpaid plans

Airtel and BSNL both have excellent postpaid plans and offer additional benefits along with the value of the basic plan.

BSNL recently removed its few postpaid plans and launched three new postpaid plans, whereas Airtel offers five recharge packs.

In the list below, we have discussed and compared Airtel vs. BSNL postpaid plans in depth.

Airtel monthly postpaid plan
Airtel PlansVoiceDataSMSAdditional Benefits
Rs. 399Unlimited40 GB100 SMS / DayNA
Rs. 499Unlimited75 GB100 SMS / DayPrime video 1 Year Subscription
Rs. 749Unlimited125 GB100 SMS / DayPrime video 1 Year Subscription + 2 Free Family add ons
Rs. 999Unlimited150 GB100 SMS / DayPrime video 1 Year Subscription + 4 Free Family add on
Rs. 1599UnlimitedUnlimited100 SMS / DayPrime video 1 Year Subscription + 1 Free Family add on + 200 ISD Min and 10% off on IR packs
BSNL monthly postpaid plan
BSNL PlansVoiceDataSMSAdditional Benefits
Rs. 199Unlimited25 GB3600 SMSNA
Rs. 798Unlimited50 GB100 SMS / DayNA
Rs. 999Unlimited75 GB100 SMS / Day3 Free Family add on

Airtel vs. BSNL Speed comparison

In terms of mobile speed, if we go for prepaid and the post-paid comparison between Airtel and BSNL mobile network, there is a clear winner, Airtel. Due to its 4G services, Airtel comes out as a better internet speed provider in India as compared to BSNL mobile service.

BSNL has started its 5 MHz 4G spectrum with 60% existing networks across India. In contrast, Airtel is almost ready to launch its new 5G network. However, BSNL is the largest broadband and wireless ISP network provider in India. BSNL has more than 300 networks in all 22 circles in India.

Pricing and billing comparison

Airtel and BSNL are available on every online platform, UPI apps, and their own official websites. This helps you to pay your postpaid or broadband bills and recharge your prepaid packs.

If you look at the above list very closely, you can easily judge that BSNL offers cheaper and affordable plans than Airtel.

But, it is also true that BSNL only has 2G and 3G mobile networks, whereas Airtel gives you 4G service benefits with high-speed internet. If you are fine with average speed internet, then we recommend you to choose BSNL over Airtel.

Because at a lower price, BSNL offers you a considerable quantity of internet data, unlimited calls, 100 SMS per day, and higher validity. But If you want high-speed internet and additional benefits with a premium membership, then choose Airtel 4G. The company provides overhead aids like prime videos, Disney plus, and Hotstar VIP for free to its premium customers.

Customer Care Comparison

Both the network provides its customers with a 24/7 helpline number and customer care executives who can solve all issues and queries.

But according to our survey, we have found that BSNL has more issues than Airtel. BSNL users face internet speed-related problems where Airtel users are pretty happy with their network.

On the other hand, BSNL gives you the facility to call customer care from other networks. Just dial 8003451500 to reach BSNL customer executives. But, there is no option to contact Airtel customer care if your SIM network disappears.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does BSNL have 4G services like Airtel 4G?

Yes. BSNL has its 4G services but not available for every circle and area. However, BSNL is expanding its 4G networks across India.

Are all Airtel plans the same in 2G, 3G, and 4G networks?

Yes. Airtel offers the same plans with the same price for every Airtel 2G, 3G, and 4G prepaid and postpaid network.

Which mobile network is better?

Each has individual benefits, pros, and cons. Both networks provide you the same service. But Airtel plans are more expensive than BSNL. Nevertheless, Airtel has a 4G enabled network where BSNL lacks. So, this is entirely up to the user, their requirement, and willingness to spend money. See all the plans above, make your own comparison and check which networks plan and price suits your requirement and budget. Then switch to that network.

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