Mumbai, 9 April 2025: Reliance Jio has once again won the race of cheap and attractive offers in the world of telecom. The company has introduced a recharge plan of just Rs 11 for its prepaid users, which promises ‘unlimited data’. This plan is available on Jio’s official website and My Jio app. But is it really unlimited? And is rival Airtel also offering something like this? Let’s take a closer look at its whole story.

Jio’s 11 rupees plan: Small pack, big benefit?

This 11 rupees plan of Reliance Jio is designed for those users who need high-speed data for a short time. In this plan, users get a fair use policy (FUP) limit of 10 GB of data, which the company is offering as ‘unlimited data’. But this feature comes with a validity of just 1 hour. “If you need to download a large file quickly or complete an important online task, this plan can work without burning a hole in your pocket,” says Mumbai-based telecom analyst Rohan Mehta.

However, this plan has a caveat. It is a data-only pack, meaning it does not offer calling or SMS. Also, you need to have an active base plan on your Jio number to use it. After the 10GB data limit is exhausted, the speed drops to 64kbps, which can be difficult even for basic browsing. “This plan is for small but important tasks. If you need data for a long time, it will not live up to your expectations,” shares Delhi-based Jio user Priya Sharma.

Airtel is also not far behind: 10GB for Rs 11

While Jio has made this affordable offer, Bharti Airtel has also joined the race. Airtel’s Rs 11 plan is similar—10GB data, 1 hour validity, and unlimited data. It too doesn’t offer calling and SMS, and is an add-on data pack that requires the base plan. “I tried it once when I needed to quickly download a software update. It was done in an hour and didn’t cost me anything,” said Ajay Verma, an Airtel user from Noida.

The similarities between the two plans are clear. After the 10GB data limit is exhausted, Airtel’s speed also drops to 64kbps. Telecom experts believe the move is aimed at users who want high-speed data for a short period of time.

The truth about unlimited: What’s the real story?

Both Jio and Airtel claim ‘unlimited data’, but the FUP limit of 10GB and 1 hour validity makes it limited. “It is a clever marketing play. Technically the data is unlimited, but the speed is so low that users may be forced to switch to another plan,” says telecom consultant Sanjay Kapoor.

Still, its utility cannot be denied. In today’s age, where smartphone updates, video calling and online transactions are a daily necessity, 10GB of data for Rs 11 can provide relief even for an hour. “I had Jio’s 1.5GB daily data plan, but one day the data ran out. Then this Rs 11 plan solved my problem,” says Rahul Patil, a student from Pune.

Jio vs Airtel: Which is better?

There is no major difference between this Rs 11 plan of Jio and Airtel. The price, data limit and validity of both are the same. However, network coverage and speed will depend on your area. “Jio has a better network in my village, so I choose it. But Airtel also has amazing speeds in the city,” says Santosh Rathod, a farmer from Nagpur, about his preference.
Advice for users
If you are thinking of taking this plan, keep a few things in mind. First, it will only work if you already have an active base plan. Second, the 1-hour validity means you have to finish your work quickly. “This plan is great for emergencies, but not for everyday use,” advises Rohan Mehta.
New telecom war
This move by Jio and Airtel shows that telecom companies are now trying to woo all kinds of users. While long validity plans are for big data users, this Rs 11 plan meets small but immediate needs. Will this affordable offer win the hearts of users? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain that this ‘shagun’ of Rs 11 has brought new hope in the world of data.