[Please see update at the end of article]

In one of the sensational offers ever launched, BSNL has decided to offer 20 GB 3G data for only Rs 50. And this 20 GB can be shared among 5 users, all over India.

Right now, 1 GB of 3G data is being sold for Rs 160-250 by various telecom players; but BSNL is now providing 20 times that data at one fourth of price.

As per available reports, this special BSNL offer is a subsidized plan, powered by PM Modi’s Digital India campaign; and the sole purpose is to enable every section of the society with high speed Internet at affordable prices.

Last year, BSNL had attempted to disrupt the market by offering 80% cheaper tariff.

Digital India Push: No Dedicated Connection Needed For Internet

This new BSNL offer is also remarkable in several ways. To start with, the user need not take a full fledged connection to avail this offer. And, this 20 GB can be shared among 5 users, from all over India as well.

Users are required to register at BSNL’s selfcare portal, and then include the phone numbers which would share the Internet plan. The primary user would be billed for the main pack, and the rest 4 users can use Internet without paying any amount.

As per BSNL General Manager Ram Shabd Yadav, this subsidized plan has been launched to enable 100% Internet connectivity across India. And, BSNL will certainly attract new users as well.

Massive Tariff War Unleashed

As the focus of almost every telecom firm is on 4G right now, BSNL has actually surprised everyone with this scintillating offer. A massive tariff war has been started, as private telecom companies will be forced to have a hard look at their plans and offers; especially for the 3G market.

Now, on one side is Reliance Jio, which will offer 75 GB 4G data and 4500 minutes of talk time for Rs 200; and on the other hand is BSNL with 20 GB of 3G data for only Rs 50. Other telecom players like Idea, Vodafone, Airtel etc would be now in a competitive dilemma over their own pricing strategy, as BSNL’s offer is surely going to disrupt the market. As BSNL is also going to launch their 4G services & video on demand service, telecom market in India is surely witnessing some major disruption.

Earlier, BSNL had committed to connect 1 lakh panchayats with high speed broadband connection within a year; and this new plan can be a part of this scheme.

The official BSNL website, with prepaid plan details hasn’t yet updated; and some users who tried to avail this sizzling scheme via BSNL’s selfcare portal were not able to view this option.

We will keep you updated as more information comes in.

Sources: 1, 2

[April 23rd UPDATE – 1] We have tried to get in touch with BSNL officials in regards to this – however, multiple emails and calls have elicited no response since the news broke out. We will update the post as soon as we get more information

[April 23rd UPDATE – 2] It seems this is an hoax – Sanjay Kumar, GM, Sales and Marketing, BSNL told digit, “We also don’t know where this story is originating from. As of now we don’t have any such plans,”

It has been finally confirmed that BSNL is not offering these plans. However, they have come up with some other plans which you can check out here and here