Jio data vouchers not valid for voice and SMS plans - What does this mean for users?

Title:

Jio data vouchers not valid for voice and SMS plans |

Description:

Reliance Jio has confirmed that the data certificate will not be used only for voice and SMS. Learn how this impacts users and how Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel compare.

Keywords:

Jio Data Vouchers, Voice and SMS Plans, Reliance Jio, Airtel Business Solutions, Vodafone Idea, TRAI, B2B Telecom, OTT Offers, Data Recharge.

Introduction :

India's largest telecom operator Reliance Jio has launched a new voice and SMS plan for users who mostly rely on voice calls and SMS instead of mobile data. However, the biggest drawback of these plans is that they do not support authentication, meaning they cannot collect personal information of users. The decision has led to complaints from customers who have requested installment payments.

In this article, we will analyze the impact of Jio’s decision, how it compares to Airtel and Vodafone Idea (Vi), and whether this move will be beneficial or detrimental to the customer.

Jio’s premium plans for voice and SMS

Reliance Jio currently offers two voice and SMS plans:

These plans are suitable for users who only need calling and messaging services.

These plans do not include data carryover.

The biggest limitation of these plans is that vouchers cannot be added.

Why is Jio’s decision problematic?

JioCare confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that users of these plans that only use voice and SMS will not be able to recharge using the additional data on the device. What does this mean for users?

No easy data:

Users cannot buy small amounts of data when they need it.

Low usage scenarios:

Even if someone needs the internet urgently, they have to buy a full pack instead of doing a simple top-up.

Other telcos are also allowing this:

Airtel and Vi allow data vouchers to be added to their voice plans, making them more profitable.

The decision has angered users who feel that Jio’s policies are restricting them.

Comparison with other phone companies

Unlike Jio users, Airtel and Vi users can add additional data on top of their voice plans.

This puts Jio at a disadvantage because it restricts its users’ options.

Customers approve of Jio’s measures

The announcement has been met with backlash on social media. Many users expect Jio plans to have similar flexibility as Airtel and Vi. Telecom experts believe that the data restrictions may force some customers to switch to rival networks.

Here are some of the complaints from users:

“Why should I buy a new plan just to use one day’s data?”

“Airtel and Vi allow data rollbacks, but Jio forces me to buy a new plan.”

“Jio has been known for affordability and flexibility in the past, but this policy change is disappointing.”

Why is Jio restricting data vouchers? There could be several reasons why Jio has decided to do this:

1. Promote greater value

Jio could encourage users to opt for prepaid plans instead of going for low-cost voice plans with extra data.

2. Network management

Jio will aim to better manage network traffic by capping data usage on some plans.

3. Maximizing Revenue

Jio may not want users to spend less on data vouchers, but it may want them to buy full data.

While these reasons may make good business sense, they may not be great for consumers.

What should Jio users do?

For Jio users who need data from time to time, the best options are:

1. Switch to a prepaid plan

Jio’s standard prepaid plan includes voice calls and data. For example: The Rs 239 plan offers 1.5GB daily data for 28 days.

2. Use Wi-Fi instead

If cellular data is not a daily requirement, relying on Wi-Fi at home or work can be a solution.

3. Consider Airtel or Vi recharge

Cross-border connections are easier to achieve with Airtel and Vi allowing data verification. ---

Will Jio change its policy?

Given the uncertainty, Jio is likely to reconsider its future plans. If enough users raise concerns, Jio may issue a revised policy that allows voice-only authentication.

However, there is no indication that Jio is planning to change this restriction as of now.

Conclusions:

Reliance Jio’s decision to block data vouchers on voice-only and SMS plans has disappointed many users. While Airtel and Vi offer more flexibility, Jio is pushing customers to opt for higher priced plans.

Now, Jio users who need voice calls and data usage are forced to switch plans or switch to another operator from time to time. The coming months will tell whether Jio will adapt to the user needs or continue with its restrictive policies.

What do you think? Will Jio allow data verification on voice plans? Let us know in the comments!