Users who rely on their phones mainly for calls and SMS may soon get cheaper recharge plan options. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has amended the Telecom Consumer Protection Regulations, 2024, directing telecom operators to offer more voice-and-SMS-only recharge plans, including shorter-validity options.
This is for users who do not need mobile data, such as elderly users, secondary SIM owners and budget-conscious consumers.
TRAI Wants More Affordable Recharge Plans
TRAI first introduced voice-and-SMS-only Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs) back in 2024. However, most telecom operators were offering these plans only with longer validity periods, limiting affordable short-term options.
Following a consultation process by TRAI that received over 1,100 responses from consumers and industry stakeholders, the regulator has now notified the Thirteenth Amendment to the Telecom Consumer Protection Regulations, 2024.
The Authority is of the view that such a tariff framework would sufficiently address consumer requirements. This amended regulation will provide low-income consumers with more options, allowing them to recharge according to their requirements and financial capacity. Overall, it will improve choices for consumers preferring not to use STVs bundled with data.
— TRAI
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What Changes for Users?
Under the new rules, telecom operators will have to:
- Offer voice-and-SMS-only vouchers for every bundled plan validity of 30 days or less
- Introduce a monthly renewal option that recharges on the same date every month
- Offer at least one long-validity voice-and-SMS-only plan beyond 30 days
This means that if a telecom operator offers a 28-day or 84-day bundled plan with data, it must also provide a corresponding voice-and-SMS-only option with the same validity.
This could benefit users who primarily use their phones for calls, texts, OTPs, or as secondary connections, allowing them to avoid paying for mobile data that they don't even use.
Moreover, telecom operators will now need to expand their voice-and-SMS-only prepaid recharge plans to cover shorter validities, giving consumers more options to match their usage and budget. A win for all? Only time will tell.
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