TRAI mandates cheaper, no data phone plans for low-income users

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has mandated telecom operators to offer more short-duration, voice-and-SMS-only special tariff vouchers (STVs) aimed at giving low-income consumers greater flexibility and affordable recharge options.

TRAI on Tuesday notified the Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulation, 2026, following a consultation process launched in April this year. The new framework requires telecom service providers to offer the STVs across shorter validity periods, with an appropriate reduction in tariff.