2 days ago
TRAI Mandates Lower-Cost Voice and SMS-Only Tariff Vouchers
India’s telecom regulator has created a new rule for mobile recharge plans.
Phone companies must offer some plans for only calls and text messages.
These plans cannot require customers to pay for mobile data too.
The call-and-text plans must match the different time periods offered by combined plans.
Most of the new options will cover 30 days or less.
Companies must also offer at least one matching option lasting more than 30 days.
TRAI says this could help people who use little data or have less money to spend.
The rule will begin 30 days after it is officially published.
TRAI has ordered telecom operators to offer special tariff vouchers exclusively for voice calls and SMS.
The vouchers must correspond to each validity period offered for combined voice, SMS and data vouchers.
The regulation focuses on vouchers valid for 30 days or less, while requiring at least one corresponding option valid beyond 30 days.
TRAI said the change will help customers who do not need data, particularly low-income and rural users.
The amended rules will take effect 30 days after notification in India’s official gazette.
- Who
- The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and telecom operators.
- What
- TRAI mandated special tariff vouchers offering voice calls and SMS without bundled data, with reduced tariffs.
- Where
- India.
- When
- The Telecom Consumers Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026 were issued on Tuesday; the rules take effect 30 days after official gazette notification.
- Why
- To give consumers who do not need data more choice and help them avoid paying for unwanted bundled services.
Key facts
- Regulator
- Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
- Regulation
- Telecom Consumers Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026
- Required offering
- Special tariff vouchers exclusively for voice calls and SMS
- Primary validity focus
- 30 days or less
- Additional requirement
- At least one voice-and-SMS-only voucher valid for more than 30 days must correspond to offered combined vouchers
- Effective date
- 30 days after notification in the official gazette
- Intended beneficiaries
- Low-income consumers, rural users and customers who do not require data
Quotes
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
India’s telecommunications regulator that issued the amended consumer-protection regulations
“The authority is of the view that such a tariff framework would sufficiently address consumer requirements. The amended regulation will provide low income consumers with more options allowing them to recharge according to their requirements and financial capacity,”
CNBC TV 18
“Provided also that the service provided shall offer special tariff vouchers (STVs) with appropriate reduction in tariff, exclusively for voice and SMS,”
CNBC TV 18
Sources
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