TRAI mandates shorter, affordable voice-only plans for low-income users
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has mandated telecom operators to introduce more affordable and flexible voice-and-SMS-only plans, complete with shorter validity periods and corresponding tariff reductions.
This directive, outlined in its Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026, aims to provide greater choice and affordability for low-income consumers and users who do not require bundled data services.
The sector watchdog issued the draft amendment for consultation on April 7, 2026. It received 1,132 responses from stakeholders and held an Open House Discussion on June 15 before finalising the regulations.
Under the new framework, telcos must offer voice-and-SMS-only STVs (Special Tariff Vouchers) with reduced tariffs for validity periods matching those of 30 days and less than 30 days currently available for voice, SMS, and data plans.
Additionally, telecom carriers are required to provide a voice-and-SMS-only STV that can be renewed on the same date each month, with renewal defaulting to the last day of the month if the exact date is unavailable.
TRAI has also stipulated that telcos must offer at least one voice-and-SMS-only STV with a validity period longer than the shorter and monthly options, corresponding to the validity of existing voice, SMS, and data STVs.
The regulator noted that a previous amendment in 2024 had led to limited availability of voice-and-SMS-only plans, particularly in shorter durations, thus depriving low-income users of affordable options. This new framework is intended to address that market gap, ensuring consumers can recharge according to their specific requirements and financial capacity.
