This is the golden period for mobile internet users in India. With Reliance Jio disrupting the mobile data market with its insanely popular Jio Preview Offer, rival telecom operators are under immense pressure to retain their existing subscriber base. In order to do so, they are offering some really interesting deals and offers, which in fact is a win-win situation for users. Now, Airtel has launched new “Mega Saver Packs” that take advantage of TRAI’s new rules for longer validity packs and offers users 3G or 4G data for as low as Rs 60! Here’s everything you need to know about the new data plans for Airtel’s prepaid subscribers and how you can make the most of it. Also Read - Reliance Jio: How to set caller tune on your smartphone

The Mega Saver Packs come in two denominations — Rs 1,498 and Rs 748. The Rs 1,498 Mega Saver Pack offers 4G/3G data upfront with a validity of 28 days. After exhaustion of the data limit, users get 1GB 4G/3G recharges for just Rs 51 over a period of 12 months. Airtel says there s no cap on the number of recharges during the period. Also, users can top up by Rs 99 for 2GB and for Rs 259 for 5GB of data. The data for all these recharges are valid for 28 days. Now, let s do some maths. Also Read - Airtel announces partnership with VOOT for premium content on Airtel Xstream

Let’s assume you use 10GB of 3G/4G data every month on your smartphone. Currently, Airtel charges Rs 999 for 10GB of data with 28 days validity. But with Rs 1,498 plan, you can get the same 10GB of data for Rs 584 per month in the first month and Rs 635 per month for rest of the 11 months. The Rs 1,498 upfront payment is nothing but an annual rental, which comes to Rs 125 per month. Considering you need to pay Rs 51 per GB of data, it comes to Rs 510 for 10GB. This makes it Rs 635 per month including the so-called monthly rental that you need to pay upfront for 12 months. The cost gets even lower when you go for the 2GB recharge. This is a saving of Rs 364 per month from the Rs 999 monthly plan earlier. DON’T MISS: As Reliance Jio Preview offer slowly opens to more 4G smartphones, queues outside Reliance stores grow longer

Similarly, the Rs 748 plan gives you 1GB 4G/3G data upfront, unlimited number of 1GB 4G/3G recharges for Rs 99 over the next six months. Going by the same calculation it comes to Rs 125 as monthly rental and like before you will get 1GB of data for Rs 51, so it comes to Rs 510 for 10GB of data. In essence, you pay Rs 635 per month for 10GB of data. RELATED: After Airtel, Idea Cellular, now Vodafone offers up to 67 percent more 3G, 4G data for prepaid subscribers

If you are an Airtel prepaid 3G/4G customer, you should definitely consider this pack. As we near Reliance Jio s 4G launch, we are likely to see more such offers from competing telecom operators. The new value for money packs are rarity from Airtel though, as it data plans have been relatively higher than the other operators. With Reliance Jio Preview offer and the frenzy around it, Airtel has certainly realized the major hit it could take in the coming months. ALSO READ: Reliance Jio 4G has spoilt Indian users even before launch, but we are not complaining

Right now, there s no information on what will be the data plans for Reliance Jio after the preview offer is exhausted. But it is most likely to be a highly competitive one. With the likes of Airtel bringing down the cost of 1GB of data to Rs 60 roughly, the base price of 4G data plans are likely to come down significantly. As said earlier, it s a win-win situation for users right now.