TRAI mandates affordable voice-and-SMS-only plans to benefit mobile users
- The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India requires telecom operators to offer affordable voice-and-SMS-only plans with different validity periods.
- Operators must provide plans lasting 30 days or less, monthly renewal options, and at least one longer-validity plan.
- TRAI said the changes aim to help low-income consumers and people who do not want plans bundled with data.
- TRAI introduced the rules after finding limited availability of voice-and-SMS-only plans following its 2024 amendment.
15 Articles
15 Articles
TRAI mandates affordable voice-and-SMS-only plans to benefit mobile users
TRAI has issued the Telecom Consumer Protection (13th Amendment) Regulations (2026), aiming to mandate new rules to offer voice-and-SMS-only plans with validities of 30 days or less, same-date monthly renewals, and longer validities parallel to data-bundled plans.
TRAI orders telcos to offer shorter-validity voice, SMS recharge plans for low income users
TRAI has finalised rules requiring telecom operators to offer shorter-validity voice and SMS recharge options, giving consumers who do not need data more flexibility in choosing prepaid plans.
The biggest problem with mobile recharges these days is that data-free plans are not available. Furthermore, a monthly validity is only available for 28 days. TRAI has now mandated that these companies will be required to offer data-free plans. This means that in the future, we may see cheaper plans with full validity.
TRAI mandates more voice and SMS only recharge options; Vi shares soar
TRAI has mandated telecom operators to offer more voice and SMS-only recharge options. These new rules aim to provide affordable choices for consumers who do not need data. Operators must now provide voice and SMS-only vouchers for various validity periods. This amendment follows TRAI's consultation process and stakeholder feedback. The move allows consumers greater flexibility in selecting recharge plans based on their needs.
There is great relief news for crores of customers using mobile recharge in the country. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has announced the ‘Telecom Consumer Protection Regulations 2026’ on 21 September 2026. Under these new rules, all telecom companies including Jio, Airtel and Vi will now be mandatory to provide plans with only Voice (calling) and SMS. […] The post Big news for mobile customers, recharge will be cheaper appeared fi…
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