The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has announced new regulations that require telecom operators to offer more flexible prepaid mobile recharge options. Under these rules, companies like Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone Idea must provide plans that include only voice calls and SMS, with validity periods of 30 days or less, where similar bundled plans are available. This move aims to give consumers more choices, especially for those who primarily use their phones for calls and messages and do not need mobile data.
According to the Telecom Consumers Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026, these changes also mandate that monthly plans renew on the same date each month. In cases where a month does not have the renewal date, the plan will renew on the last day of that month. Additionally, telecom operators are required to offer at least one longer-duration voice-and-SMS-only plan that corresponds to the validity of their longer data-bundled plans.
The decision follows TRAI’s earlier directives from December 2024, which encouraged the expansion of voice-and-SMS-only plans. The regulator observed that telecom operators had not fully complied by offering these options across various validity periods, prompting the latest amendment to ensure wider availability.
This regulatory update is expected to benefit a range of consumers, including senior citizens and those seeking more affordable plans without mobile data. By expanding the range of available options, TRAI aims to cater to diverse consumer needs, offering both cost-effective and practical solutions for mobile users in India.