The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has unveiled new regulations to enhance flexibility for prepaid mobile users by mandating telecom operators to offer 30-day and voice-and-SMS-only recharge plans. This move aims to cater to consumers seeking options without mobile data, including senior citizens and those preferring cost-effective communication solutions.
In accordance with the Telecom Consumers Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026, major telecom providers like Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone Idea must provide voice-and-SMS-only packages with validity periods of 30 days or less, alongside existing bundled plans. Furthermore, monthly plans are now required to renew on the same date each month, or on the last day if the date does not exist in a given month.
TRAI’s directives also stipulate that operators must introduce at least one long-duration voice-and-SMS-only plan aligning with the validity of their data-bundled offerings. This is intended to benefit customers who primarily use their phones for calling and messaging services.
The regulatory changes follow previous TRAI guidance from December 2024, which highlighted the need for expanded voice-and-SMS-only options across various validity periods. The authority observed that telecom operators had not fully implemented these options, prompting the latest rule adjustments.
Overall, these new provisions are set to provide consumers with greater choice and flexibility in selecting prepaid mobile plans that suit their specific communication needs without the necessity for data services.