Vodafone India slashes 2G data charges by 80 per cent

Vodafone India has slashed 2G data charges by 80 per cent across three circles in the country, while the GSM operator would extend the reduction across the remaining 19 circles in a phased manner.

With this price cut, Vodafone's 2G data plan is now the cheapest in the country, the company claimed in a statement.

The new rates will currently be applicable in Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh (West), Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh circles, the company said in a statement.

The rate cut to 2 paise per 10 KB from the earlier 10 paise would be applicable for both pre- and post-paid customers and on a 'pay as you go' basis. This would make internet access affordable for customers who use mobile internet in a limited way, it added.

''The overall Internet penetration in India is low while the mobile penetration is high. Most consumers will discover the power of the internet via the mobile,'' Vodafone India Chief Commercial Officer Vivek Mathur said.

''We, at Vodafone, want to accelerate mobile internet adoption through penetration, consumption and value addition. This 80 per cent reduction in data charges for customers using 2G network is an important step in this direction and we are confident that this move will facilitate faster adoption and better usage,'' Mathur.

As part of its strategy to "democratise" data, Vodafone is educating current and potential users about how Internet can add significant value to them.

The company is also building content partnerships, simplifying pricing, educating retailers and offering choice to customer basis their interests and consumption patterns.