Archive · 28 Sep 2026
India's New Recharge Rules Expand Voice-Only Options for Users
India's telecom regulator has changed the rules for some mobile recharge plans.
Companies must offer more plans that include calls and text messages but no mobile internet data.
These plans must cost less than similar plans that include data.
At least one plan must be renewable on the same date every month.
If that date does not occur in a month, renewal must happen on the month's last day.
Another voice-and-text option must have a longer validity period.
The changes are intended to help people who use Wi-Fi or do not need mobile data.
They do not require companies to change every existing 28-day plan into a 30-day plan.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India finalized rules requiring more voice- and SMS-only recharge plans.
Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea must offer such plans for qualifying validity periods of 30 days or less.
Operators must provide lower-priced alternatives to equivalent bundled plans that include data.
At least one plan must support renewal on the same calendar day each month, with last-day renewal when necessary.
The rules aim to help users who rely on Wi-Fi, including low-income consumers and elderly customers, avoid paying for unused data.
- Who
- The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and mobile operators Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea.
- What
- New rules requiring operators to offer more affordable voice- and SMS-only recharge options.
- When
- The amendment was finalized after an open house discussion on June 15, 2026; the draft was released for consultation on April 7, 2026.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- To give consumers more flexibility and reduce the need to pay for mobile data they may not use, particularly among low-income, elderly, and Wi-Fi-dependent users.
- Regulator
- Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
- Affected operators
- Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea
- Required plans
- Voice- and SMS-only options for qualifying validity periods of 30 days or less
- Pricing requirement
- Voice- and SMS-only plans must be cheaper than equivalent bundled plans
- Monthly renewal
- At least one plan must renew on the same day each month, or on the month's last day if needed
- Stakeholder responses
- The regulator received 1,132 responses
- Illustrative cost comparison
- The article compares thirteen ₹299 28-day recharges totaling ₹3,887 with twelve ₹299 30-day recharges totaling ₹3,588