BSNL rolls out ₹1 mobile plan and ₹1,111 broadband offer for Independence Day
State-owned telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has announced a set of promotional offers timed for Independence Day, aimed at attracting new customers to its mobile and broadband services. The company described these as customer-centric initiatives, according to a statement released on Friday.
The centrepiece of the announcement is the ‘Freedom 2.0 Offer’ priced at ₹1. New customers can access BSNL’s mobile network for this nominal amount, receiving 1 GB of data per day, 100 SMS per day, and unlimited voice calls. The plan comes with a validity of 24 days.
In the broadband segment, BSNL has introduced the ‘Fiber Freedom Plan’ at a special introductory price of ₹1,111 per month. This plan offers internet speeds of up to 200 Mbps, a monthly data allowance of 5,000 GB, and access to more than 25 premium OTT platforms, including Hotstar, SonyLiv, and Zee5. It also includes unlimited calling benefits.
The offers come at a time when the Indian telecom sector is highly competitive, with private players such as Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vi battling for market share. BSNL, which has seen its customer base decline in recent years, has been attempting to regain ground through aggressive pricing and service expansion.
Industry analysts note that the ₹1 offer is a promotional strategy to lower the entry barrier for potential subscribers. However, they caution that such deep discounts may not be sustainable in the long term. The broadband plan, while competitively priced, will face scrutiny over service reliability and customer support, which have historically been weak points for BSNL.
The Independence Day-themed offers reflect a broader trend of telecom operators using national holidays to launch marketing campaigns. Earlier this year, BSNL also introduced prepaid plans with extended validity and data benefits to mark other occasions.
Customers interested in the offers can subscribe through BSNL’s official website, customer service centres, or authorized retailers. The company has not specified a deadline for the promotional pricing, stating that the details are available on its portal.
These initiatives are part of BSNL’s efforts to improve its financial health and operational efficiency. The government, which fully owns BSNL, has approved a revival package that includes spectrum allocation and monetization of assets. The success of such promotional plans will depend on whether they can convert new users into long-term subscribers.
For consumers, the ₹1 offer provides an affordable way to test BSNL’s network quality, particularly in rural and remote areas where the operator has a strong presence. The broadband plan, meanwhile, is aimed at urban households seeking bundled entertainment and high-speed internet.
BSNL’s announcements come ahead of Independence Day celebrations, a period when many public-sector enterprises unveil special schemes. The company has not released projected subscription numbers, but the offers are expected to generate interest given the low upfront cost.
