Airtel Postpaid Plans Set to Get Costlier From Thursday, Here’s What’s Changing for Customers

Bharti Airtel has announced a revamp of its postpaid plans, raising tariffs by ₹50 while adding one complimentary international roaming trip every year. The new plans will take effect from October 8, 2026, and start at ₹499 for individual users. The telecom operator said the new postpaid offerings will combine unlimited data and calling with network-level spam and fraud protection, entertainment benefits and the newly introduced international roaming facility.

Airtel Postpaid Plans to Cost ₹50 More

Under the revised structure, Airtel's postpaid plans will cost ₹50 more than the corresponding existing plans. The new starting prices are ₹499 for an individual user, ₹749 for two family members, ₹1,049 for three members, ₹1,249 and ₹1,449 for four-member plans, and ₹1,799 for a five-member family plan. While the absolute increase is ₹50, the percentage increase differs depending on the plan. This is why the tariff revision has been described in some reports as being in the range of roughly 3-10 per cent. Airtel Discontinues INR 299, INR 649, INR 799 Prepaid Plans, Hikes INR 859 Pack to INR 899.

Free International Roaming Once a Year

The key addition to the revised Airtel postpaid plans is one free international roaming trip every year. The complimentary roaming pack includes 5GB of data, 60 minutes of calls, 25 outgoing SMS and free incoming SMS. The benefits remain valid for five days. Customers can activate the pack when they actually need it, rather than having it automatically start on a fixed date. Airtel has said the free roaming benefit is available to every member of an eligible family postpaid plan. This means individual members of a family plan can use their respective annual roaming benefit.

New Airtel Plans Start October 8

The revised plans will be available from Thursday, October 8, 2026. Existing Airtel postpaid customers can also move to the new plans, while company sources cited by PTI said existing subscribers will be shifted to the nearest higher plan within a month. A company official said the complimentary international roaming benefit is valued at around ₹2,000.

Unlimited Data, Calling and Other Benefits

The new postpaid plans continue to offer unlimited data and calling along with Airtel's other postpaid benefits. The company is also highlighting its Fast Lane technology on 5G and network-level protection against spam and fraudulent links. Depending on the plan, customers can also get entertainment subscriptions and other services. Airtel's Postpaid Advantage Club additionally provides access to selected experiences such as comedy shows, movie premieres and concerts. Airtel Bundles Apple Services with Family Postpaid Plans Priced Rs 999 and Above.

Airtel's Move Comes After Vodafone Idea Roaming Offer

Airtel's announcement comes shortly after Vodafone Idea introduced free international roaming benefits on select prepaid, postpaid and enterprise plans. Vodafone Idea's offer provides free international roaming for up to three trips a year on eligible plans, while Airtel is offering one complimentary international trip annually across its new postpaid plans. The move highlights increasing competition among telecom operators to attract and retain higher-value postpaid customers by bundling international connectivity and additional services with regular mobile plans.

What Airtel Postpaid Customers Need to Know

For customers, the immediate change is a ₹50 increase in monthly postpaid tariffs, effective with the new plans from October 8. In return, Airtel is adding an annual international roaming benefit that includes data, voice and SMS for five days. For users who travel abroad at least once a year, the new roaming benefit could offset part of the higher monthly cost. Customers who rarely or never travel internationally will primarily see the tariff increase while receiving the other bundled benefits.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 07, 2026 12:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).