New Delhi: Mobile users who do not need internet data could soon have more affordable recharge options. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued the Telecom Consumers Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026, directing telecom service providers to offer standalone tariff vouchers for voice calls and SMS without bundled data. The new regulations, issued on September 22, will come into force 30 days after publication in the Official Gazette.
Voice and SMS Plans for Shorter Validities
Under the new rules, if a telecom operator offers a bundled voice, SMS and data plan with a validity of 30 days or less, it must also offer a corresponding voice-and-SMS-only voucher for the same validity period. The tariff for the voice-and-SMS-only option must be appropriately lower, reflecting the removal of data benefits.
The move is expected to provide more flexibility to users who primarily use their phones for calls and SMS and do not require mobile internet.
Monthly Recharge on the Same Date
Telecom operators will also be required to offer at least one voice-and-SMS-only voucher that can be renewed on the same date every month. If that date does not exist in a particular month, the voucher will be renewed on the last day of that month. Operators must also provide at least one standalone voice-and-SMS voucher with a validity of more than 30 days.
Relief for Feature Phone and Low-Data Users
The new framework is particularly relevant for feature-phone users, senior citizens, rural consumers and people who use mobile connections mainly for calls and SMS. TRAI had introduced a requirement for voice-and-SMS-only tariff vouchers in 2024. However, the regulator noted that the availability of such vouchers in shorter validity periods remained an issue.
The latest amendment seeks to expand the availability of these plans and give consumers greater flexibility in choosing a recharge based on their actual usage. The new rules will apply to telecom operators, including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea (Vi), once they come into force.
