BSNL, India’s leading wired broadband service provider and a telecom operator with 80+ million subscribers has teamed up with Micromax to launch a low-cost handset called Bharat 1. Along with the new device, BSNL has introduced the Rs 97 recharge plan that offers unlimited calls, data, and SMS to the Bharat 1 phone users.
Like the JIOPhone, the BSNL Bharat 1 phone is a basic phone with slightly better features than the JIOPhone. The biggest plus point of BSNL’s new device is that it supports WiFi and it doesn’t force users to hook up to the BSNL network.
Unlike JIOPhone, which is available for purchase only on the JIO website, the BSNL Bharat 1 phone is retailing in Micromax partner retail stores across the country. The phone has 2 slots for SIM cards. It costs 2200 Rupees.
Once users buy the phone, they will have to get a BSNL SIM from the nearest BSNL exchange offline. Then, the users must recharge their number with Rs 97.
Features of Micromax BSNL Bharat 1 (Desh ka 4G phone)
The BH1 phone has a tiny 2.4-inch color display and it is manufactured by one of India’s reliable phone brands, Micromax. The screen has a QVGA resolution. BSNL Bharat 1 ships with Qualcomm’s SD 205 processor and it has 512 megabytes RAM. It supports VoLTE calling service and 4G networks.
THe Bharat 1 handset comes preloaded with the world’s most popular video streaming app, YouTube. It also ships with the BHIM wallet app. It has a web browser utility developed by Micromax. The mobile includes a music/video player and FM Radio utility. It has enough processing power and RAM to support WhatsApp, and other apps.
The phone from BSNL-Micromax runs on KAI OS, a modified version of the Mozilla Firefox OS. The operating system is reliable as it is built on Linux.
The BSNL Bharat 1 phone has a 2000 mAh battery. It carries a back 2.0 MP and front 0.3 MP camera. It lacks a MicroSD slot and includes 4GB ROM.
Plan
Users who buy this BSNL Micromax handset must recharge their number with Rs 97 every month to avail unlimited data benefits. Along with UL 3G data, users will also enjoy unlimited SMS and voice calls. BSNL is yet to launch 4G service across the country. When it does so, the firm may ask users to upgrade their SIM cards.
Coming back to the plan, the Rs 97 recharge will offer 5GB of data and it will be valid for 28 days. Once you’ve consumed 5GB data, the download speed will be lowered to 80 Kbps.
JIOPhone vs Micromax Bharat 1: Which phone offers a better plan?
BSNL has an extensive 3G network coverage across India. The download and upload speeds on the BSNL network are good. Bharat 1 is a great handset for the rural as well as urban population. It is also a great alternative to JIOPhone and the recently launched Airtel 4G Phone.
JIO has a good network coverage and its 4G plans are cheap. The only things the user will be worried about before buying the JIOPHone is the recent changes in the tariff.
Reliance has been increasing tariffs of its 4g plans every 2 or 3 months. On 18th of October, the company scrapped the Rs 309 4g plan and reduced the validity, post FUP speed, and data benefits on several plans.
JIO hasn’t changed the tariff or validity of the JIOPhone exclusive Rs 153 plan which offers 500 MB data every day for 28 days. JIO may or may not change the data transfer limit or tariff of this plan in the future.
Many users were misusing the JIO unlimited free calling feature due to which JIO set a voice calling limit on its 4G plans. BSNL has been offering free calls to users for some time now. It has no limit on the number of calls the users can make or the number of minutes users can talk a day.
The JIOPhone is locked. You can’t use a SIM card of other operators in the JIOPhone. BSNL Bharat 1 phone has 2 SIM slots. You should be able to use the JIO, Airtel, Vodafone, Idea or Aircel SIM card in this handset.
Will you buy the BSNL Bharat 1 phone?
