The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has made a major change to mobile recharge options, especially for consumers who do not need mobile data. Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026, will require telecom service providers to provide more Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs) exclusively for voice calls and SMS.
It is designed to give consumers more freedom to choose mobile plans based on what they really need instead of paying for bundled data services they’re not going to use. TRAI has proposed the new regulations on 22 September 2026.
Voice and SMS-only Recharge Plans
Many prepaid mobile plans currently combine voice calls, SMS, and internet data. However, not all customers need data services. Feature-phone users, senior citizens, customers who primarily use their phones for calls and SMS, and people who use a secondary SIM for banking-related OTPs may have limited use for large data allowances.
TRAI's regulations aim to expand the availability of voice and SMS-only plans for such users. In 2024, the regulator noted that there were only a few exclusive voice and SMS STVs available.
In the new framework, operators will be required to provide a voice-and-SMS-only STV for every unique validity period for a bundled STV that carries voice, SMS and data. The voice-and-SMS-only option should also have a largely proportionate tariff reduction as it excludes data benefits.
Shorter Validity Recharge Options
One of the important aspects of the regulation is the focus on shorter validity periods.
TRAI's April 2026 draft was introduced after consumers sought shorter-duration packs of voice and SMS only. Existing exclusive voice and SMS plans were focused on longer validity times, while bundled plans had customers having multiple durations, the regulator said.
The final regulatory framework will therefore expand choices in terms of validity periods offered by telecom operators. That could be particularly useful for customers who do not want to pay a large upfront payment for a quarterly or annual plan.
Monthly Recharge and Same-Date Renewal
TRAI also highlighted the availability of 30-day plans and monthly plans that can be renewed on the same date every month.
According to TRAI consumer information, service providers are required to offer at least one 30-day plan and a plan renewable on the same date in each month. If that date doesn't exist in a month, the last day of that month is the renewal date.
This structure helps customers track their recharge schedules more easily, especially those who like a monthly billing or recharge cycle, and not 28 days.
Who would benefit from the New Rules?
The expanded voice and SMS-only options could be relevant to several categories of mobile users. These include feature phone users, elderly subscribers, customers who use their phones mainly for calls, and users who keep a secondary SIM for OTPs and essential communications.
TRAI's consultation also received representations highlighting the needs of rural and lower-income users who may prefer shorter-validity plans because longer-duration packs require a larger one-time payment.
At the same time, telecom operators had expressed their concerns about the proposed changes in the consultation process. Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, for example, argued that existing plans already provide affordable options and voiced concerns on the impact of mandatory voice- and SMS-only plans on tariff structure and commercial flexibility.
What could change for Jio, Airtel, Vi and BSNL Users?
The new rules could require telecom companies to review and expand their prepaid recharge portfolios. Customers might thus discover more voice-and-SMS-only choices that match the different validity periods of their operators.
But TRAI does not have the power to directly determine the retail price of mobile plans. The regulator’s consumer FAQ says telecom service providers retain flexibility to offer different tariff plans and combinations of charges, validity periods, and usage benefits, as per regulatory standards.
Thus, the exact prices and benefits of the new plans will depend on the individual telecom operators.
A major change for Data-Light Users
The TRAI framework represents a further expansion of the regulator’s voice and SMS-only mobile plans. The objective is to offer consumers more choices based on their usage requirements, particularly those who do not need mobile internet data.
For customers who primarily need calling, SMS, OTPs and basic mobile connectivity, the availability of additional validity options could make it easier to select a plan without paying for a larger data bundle.
As telecom companies adjust their tariff portfolios to meet new regulations, consumers should compare the new plans, validity periods and prices before making their next recharge.
