A Comparison of Postpaid Data Packages in Sri Lanka - Numbers.lk
Selecting the ideal ISP in Sri Lanka is no simple feat, as it involves weighing various factors. Airtel stands out for its cost-effective rates, but its coverage is somewhat limited. Dialog, on the other hand, provides extensive coverage, albeit at a slightly higher cost. While SLT offers high-speed fiber connections but they are only available in limited areas and come with higher rates. Hutch presents affordable options with diverse choices, but coverage is also limited. Making an informed decision requires careful consideration of factors such as budget, coverage requirements, and desired connection speeds.
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31 May, 2023 | 02:56 a.m.
Staff Writer
As Sri Lankans, we know the importance of having a reliable internet connection in today's digital age. With so many internet service providers (ISPs) offering postpaid data packages in Sri Lanka, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. The main ISPs in Sri Lanka offer competitive price ranges for their data packages, but each has its own strengths and weaknesses. While Airtel has the cheapest rates, limited coverage is a big concern. Dialog, on the other hand, has high coverage in most areas but may charge a little more. Meanwhile, SLT offers high-speed fiber connections to limited areas, but the rates are also high. It's no wonder consumers are often confused about which package to choose.
Today let’s take a look at the packages offered by the five main internet service providers in Sri Lanka.
- Dialog
- Mobitel
- Hutch
- Airtel
- SLT
*NOTE: For the purpose of this analysis, we will consider SLT and Mobitel as separate entities, despite the fact that they now operate as SLT Mobitel * We will focus on packages below Rs. 5000 excluding unlimited packages and try to find the best data package for you. If you're running an office or small business that operates primarily during the day and you're on the hunt for the best anytime data deals, then the following packages are the way to go. We've made it easy by listing the best deals for specific price ranges.
| Range (Rs) | ISP | Package Name | Price in Rs (Tax inclusive) | Anytime Data (GB) | Nighttime Data (GB) | Cost per GB (Any Time) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Below 1000 | Airtel | Unlimited 797 | 959.24 | 20 | 47.96 | |
| Mobitel | Rs 660 Plan | 794.35 | 5 | 5 | 79.43 | |
| 1000-2000 | Airtel | Unlimited 1098 | 1321.51 | 40 | 33.04 | |
| SLT | ANY BEAT | 1865.51 | 36 | 51.82 | ||
| Hutch | Giga 699 | 1,010.99 | 15 | 67.40 | ||
| 2000-3000 | Airtel | Freedom 2160 | 2599.69 | 100 | 26.00 | |
| SLT | ANY FLIX (Fibre) | 2587.65 | 58 | 44.61 | ||
| Hutch | Giga 1999 | 2888.54 | 60 | 48.14 | ||
| Above 3000 | SLT | ANY TIDE (Fibre) | 4681.84 | 120 | 39.02 | |
| Dialog | Lite Plus | 4200.42 | 80 | 80 | 52.51 | |
| SLT | WEB BOOSTER (Fibre) | 4874.41 | 85 | 120 | 57.35 | |
| Mobitel | Rs 3588 Plan | 4318.37 | 37.5 | 57.58 |
If you're looking to maximize the usage of your nighttime data and efficiently use the internet in the daytime, then one of these packages with the lowest overall cost per GB would be an ideal choice.
| Range (Rs) | ISP | Package Name | Price in Rs (Tax inclusive) | Anytime Data (GB) | Nighttime Data (GB) | Cost per GB (Any Time) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Below 1000 | Airtel | Unlimited 797 | 959.24 | 20 | - | 47.96 |
| Mobitel | Rs 660 Plan | 794.35 | 5 | 5 | 79.43 | |
| 1000-2000 | Airtel | Unlimited 1098 | 1321.51 | 40 | - | 33.04 |
| SLT | ANY BEAT | 1865.51 | 36 | - | 51.82 | |
| Hutch | Giga 699 | 1,010.99 | 15 | - | 67.40 | |
| 2000-3000 | Airtel | Freedom 2160 | 2599.69 | 100 | - | 26.00 |
| SLT | ANY FLIX (Fibre) | 2587.65 | 58 | - | 44.61 | |
| Hutch | Giga 1999 | 2888.54 | 60 | - | 48.14 | |
| Above 3000 | SLT | ANY TIDE (Fibre) | 4681.84 | 120 | - | 39.02 |
| Dialog | Lite Plus | 4200.42 | 80 | 80 | 52.51 | |
| SLT | WEB BOOSTER (Fibre) | 4874.41 | 85 | 120 | 57.35 | |
| Mobitel | Rs 3588 Plan | 4318.37 | 37.5 | - | 57.58 |
In conclusion, choosing the right postpaid data package in Sri Lanka can be overwhelming with so many options available. To help you make an informed decision, we have summarized the best packages based on specific data ranges. We hope that this article has helped you in selecting the best data package that suits your needs and budget.
| Data Range (GB) | ISP | Package Name | with SSCL | Anytime Data | Night Time Data | Cost per GB (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-20 | Airtel | Unlimited 797 | 959.24 | 20 | 47.96 | |
| Dialog | Starter | 1,311.88 | 20 | 20 | 65.59 | |
| Hutch | Giga 899 | 1,323.91 | 20 | 66.20 | ||
| Mobitel | Rs 1188 Plan | 1,429.83 | 20 | 71.49 | ||
| 20-40 | Airtel | Unlimited 1098 | 1321.51 | 40 | 33.04 | |
| SLT | ANY BEAT | 1865.51 | 36 | 51.82 | ||
| Hutch | Giga 1499 | 2166.40 | 40 | 54.16 | ||
| Dialog | Lite | 2034.01 | 35 | 35 | 58.11 | |
| 40-60 | SLT | ANY FLIX (Fibre) | 2,587.65 | 58 | 44.61 | |
| ANY FLIX | 2,587.65 | 53 | 48.82 | |||
| Hutch | Giga 1999 | 2,888.54 | 60 | 48.14 | ||
| Mobitel | Rs 2508 Plan | 3,018.52 | 50 | 60.37 | ||
| Above 60 | Airtel | Freedom 2160 | 2599.69 | 100 | 26.00 | |
| SLT | ANY TIDE (Fibre) | 4681.84 | 120 | 39.02 | ||
| ANY TIDE | 4681.84 | 100 | 46.82 | |||
| Dialog | Lite Plus | 4200.42 | 80 | 80 | 52.51 |
The advertised rates do not fully depict the complete picture of your internet experience. The actual user experience with these connections can vary significantly depending on your location and ISP.
Despite the claims made by internet service providers about consistent service and extensive island-wide coverage with high bandwidth, the reality often falls short. Many users experience signal reduction and slow internet speeds. To navigate this landscape and choose the best ISP, it's crucial to know which provider offers consistent network performance and speed to your location. However, manually checking the coverage of all five providers is a daunting task.
To address the challenge, the numbers.lk team has embarked on an ambitious project to map internet coverage in Sri Lanka provided by various ISPs. We have developed speed.numbers.lk, an internet speed test tool that not only measures your connection speed but also records your location. By harnessing the power of crowd-sourced data, our aim is to develop a comprehensive coverage map across the country. Users are encouraged to utilize speed.numbers.lk for their internet speed tests as it will contribute to the project's success. If all goes well, in just a few weeks' time, you will have access to accurate insights, enabling you to identify the best ISP for your specific area with precision.
you can access the tool here: speed.numbers.lk
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