Voice-only plans are cheaper, but they are only useful if you really do not need mobile data. Answer these questions honestly.
Five quick questions
- Do you use the internet outside Wi-Fi, even for maps, ride apps or UPI payments?
- Do you receive one-time passwords or app notifications that need data?
- Do you travel often or spend long hours away from Wi-Fi?
- Is this your only SIM?
- Do you share a hotspot with other devices?
If you answered yes to any of these, keep a plan with data. If you answered no to all of them, a voice-only plan can save money.
How much can you save?
Compare Jio’s ₹177 voice-only plan with its ₹299 daily data plan. Both run for 28 days. The difference is ₹122 for every 28 days. Over a year, that adds up. But if you end up buying a separate data pack to fill the gap, the saving shrinks.
A middle path
If you use data only occasionally, some people keep a voice-only plan and top up a small data pack when needed. Check the operator app for current data add-on prices.