Airtel has once again upset its users—this time without increasing prices, but by quietly reducing benefits. The telecom operator has slashed data benefits on its Unlimited 5G Booster Packs, which were introduced in July last year.

While the prices remain the same, users are now getting significantly less high-speed data than before. This move clearly indicates a trend where telecom companies are making plans effectively more expensive by reducing what they offer.

What are Airtel’s Unlimited 5G Booster Packs?

Airtel offers Unlimited 5G add-on packs priced at:

• ₹51

• ₹101

• ₹151

These packs are mainly meant for users on 1GB/day or 1.5GB/day plans, allowing them to access Unlimited 5G data on Airtel’s 5G network.

Users with 2GB/day or higher base plans already get unlimited 5G without these add-ons.

Important points:

• Unlimited 5G data works only on Airtel’s 5G network

• Validity of add-ons = validity of the base plan

• Add-ons are visible only to eligible users

Old benefits vs new benefits (big cut)

According to Telecom Talk, here’s how Airtel has reduced the data:

₹51 Add-on Plan

• Earlier: 3GB high-speed data

• Now: 1GB high-speed data

₹101 Add-on Plan

• Earlier: 6GB high-speed data

• Now: 2GB high-speed data

₹151 Add-on Plan

• Earlier: 9GB high-speed data

• Now: 3GB high-speed data

👉 That’s a reduction of up to 66% in some plans.

Why users are angry

• Prices remain the same, but value has dropped sharply

• Data cuts were done silently, without major announcements

• This affects users on lower daily data plans the most

• Shows a clear strategy of “benefit reduction instead of price hike”

The bigger picture

Telecom companies appear to be entering a phase where:

• Plan prices may stay unchanged

• Benefits will slowly be reduced

• Users end up paying more for less

For Airtel customers, this move is being seen as the first step toward more expensive mobile usage—without officially calling it a price hike.