TRAI pushes cheaper voice-only recharge plans with more validity options

Telecom users who mainly need calling and SMS services could get more affordable recharge choices under a new tariff framework introduced by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

The regulator has directed telecom service providers to offer voice-and-SMS-only Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs) with reduced tariffs across different validity periods. The move is aimed particularly at consumers who do not need data bundled with their mobile recharge plans.

The changes have been introduced through the Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026.

What is TRAI changing in recharge plans?

Under the amended framework, telecom operators will have to offer voice-and-SMS-only STVs for 30-day and shorter validity periods, corresponding to the validity periods of their existing STVs that combine voice, SMS and data.

These voice-and-SMS-only plans will also have to come with an appropriate reduction in tariff, giving consumers an alternative to paying for data services they may not use.

The new rules also require operators to provide a voice-and-SMS-only plan that can be renewed on the same date every month.

If that date does not exist in a particular month, the renewal will happen on the last day of that month.

Longer validity voice-and-SMS plans also required

TRAI's new framework does not stop at shorter-duration recharges.

Telecom companies will also have to provide at least one voice-and-SMS-only STV with a validity longer than the shorter and monthly options. Its validity will correspond to the longer validity period of an existing voice, SMS and data STV.

This means consumers will have voice-and-SMS-only choices across multiple validity periods rather than being limited to a single type of recharge.

Why has TRAI introduced the new rules?

TRAI said it observed that following the implementation of the Telecom Consumer Protection (Twelfth Amendment), 2024, voice-and-SMS-only STVs had remained limited in the market.

According to the regulator, the plans that were available were largely concentrated around longer validity periods, leaving fewer affordable options for consumers looking for shorter-duration recharges.

The amended framework is intended to address that gap by expanding the availability of voice-and-SMS-only plans.

Who will benefit from the new recharge options?

The changes are particularly aimed at low-income consumers and mobile users who do not require data services.

Instead of having to choose a bundled plan that includes data, such users will have more options to pay for the services they actually need — voice calls and SMS.

TRAI said the new tariff framework will allow consumers to choose recharge options according to their requirements and financial capacity.

For users who primarily use their phones for calling and texting, the changes could therefore make it easier to select a recharge based on usage and preferred validity rather than paying for an unwanted data component.

TRAI said the revised tariff structure is intended to provide consumers with greater choice and address the requirements of users seeking voice and SMS services without bundled data.

The regulator expects the amended framework to improve the availability of voice-and-SMS-only options across different validity periods, giving consumers more flexibility when selecting a mobile recharge.

With ANI inputs