Jio's Rs 15 one-day 5G pack undercuts Airtel and Vi, but conditions apply

Reliance Jio has brought in a Rs 15 data pack that offers unlimited 5G use for one day. The pack is available from November 5 and is being described as the cheapest data pack in the country. It is aimed at customers whose daily data runs out early, or who suddenly need a lot of internet on a particular day.

The pack is valid for a full 24 hours counted from the moment of recharge. A customer who recharges at 10 am can use it until 10 am the next day. It is a data-only offer with no calling or SMS benefit. It can be bought as an add-on when the daily quota is used up, and it may also help customers on calling-only plans that carry no separate data. Typical uses include downloading large files or games, updating phone software, saving important documents to the cloud, and watching high-quality video on a journey. Hotspot sharing is allowed, so the connection can be used on a laptop or tablet while travelling or working from home.

There are conditions. The customer must hold a 5G-enabled phone. On a 4G handset the phone will run at 4G speed. Jio's True 5G network must also reach the customer's area, because the pack is of no use where there is no 5G tower. One account adds a third and more important condition: an active base plan, such as a recharge of Rs 349 or more that gives at least 2GB a day, is required for the unlimited 5G benefit. Another account says only that the eligible recharge conditions for unlimited 5G data may apply. Customers should therefore check their number's eligibility in the MyJio app before paying, or the money may be wasted.

The pack can be bought on the MyJio app, under the data or combo section, or on Jio.com by entering the mobile number. It is also sold at local recharge shops and Reliance Digital stores, and through payment apps such as PhonePe, Google Pay and Paytm.

Rival offers cost more. Airtel's cheapest data pack is Rs 22 and gives 1GB of high-speed data for one day, and the internet stops once that 1GB is used. Airtel's Rs 49 pack is sold as unlimited, but speed falls sharply to 64Kbps after 20GB of use in a day. Its validity also ends at 11:59 pm and not after 24 hours, so a customer who recharges at 10 pm gets only two hours. Vodafone Idea, or Vi, has a basic Rs 22 booster with 1GB for a day and a Rs 49 unlimited pack valid for one day.

On price, the Jio pack is Rs 7 cheaper than the Rs 22 packs and Rs 34 cheaper than the Rs 49 packs, and it offers more data than the 1GB plans. Its 24-hour validity is also fairer than Airtel's midnight cut-off. The advice from the comparison is that Jio users with a 5G phone, good network and the required base plan stand to gain most. Airtel's Rs 22 pack suits small urgent jobs, but customers needing more data may find the Rs 49 pack poor value.