The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has introduced new regulations aimed at providing prepaid mobile users with more flexible recharge options. Under the Telecom Consumers Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026, telecom operators like Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone Idea must now offer plans that include only voice and SMS services with validity periods of 30 days or less, provided similar bundled plans are available.
These new regulations also stipulate that monthly plans should renew on the same date each month; if that date does not exist in a particular month, the renewal should occur on the last day of that month. Additionally, TRAI mandates that operators offer at least one longer-duration voice-and-SMS-only plan that corresponds with the validity of their longer data-bundled plans.
The intention behind these changes is to cater to consumers who primarily use their phones for calls and messages, thereby not requiring mobile data. This shift is particularly beneficial for senior citizens and users interested in lower-cost plans. TRAI’s decision follows earlier directions issued in December 2024, wherein it was observed that telecom operators had not fully expanded voice-and-SMS-only options across various validity periods.
The new provisions are expected to enhance consumer choice by allowing for more tailored and cost-effective options, thereby addressing the demands of users seeking alternatives to data-heavy plans.