TRAI mandates more affordable voice-SMS-only recharge options
New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has finalised the Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026, mandating telecom operators to offer more options for consumers seeking voice- and SMS-only recharge plans.
The move is aimed particularly at low-income consumers and subscribers who do not require data services, TRAI said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The regulator had released the draft amendment for public consultation on April 7, 2026, after observing limited availability of voice-and-SMS-only Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs). According to TRAI, the available plans were largely concentrated around longer validity periods, leaving consumers with fewer affordable shorter-duration options.
TRAI received 1,132 responses from stakeholders on the draft regulations and subsequently held an Open House Discussion on June 15 before finalising the amendment.
New validity options for voice-SMS STVs
Under the amended regulations, telecom service providers will be required to offer voice-and-SMS-only STVs with an appropriate reduction in tariff corresponding to the validity periods of their existing STVs that bundle voice, SMS and data.
The framework provides for:
- STVs corresponding to each validity period of 30 days or less offered for voice, SMS and data services.
- A monthly-renewal option under which the voucher remains renewable on the same date every month. If that date does not exist in a particular month, renewal will take place on the last day of that month.
- At least one voice-and-SMS-only STV with a validity period longer than the above options, corresponding to the validity offered for bundled voice, SMS and data vouchers.
More choice for consumers
TRAI said the revised tariff framework is intended to address consumer requirements by providing greater flexibility in choosing recharge validity and spending according to individual financial circumstances.
The regulator expects the amendment to particularly benefit consumers who use their mobile phones primarily for voice calls and SMS and do not need bundled data services.
The new framework is also intended to improve the availability of shorter-duration recharge options, giving subscribers greater choice rather than requiring them to opt for longer-validity plans.
TRAI said the amendment followed an assessment of stakeholder feedback and the regulator’s own analysis of the telecom tariff landscape.
