New Delhi, 22 September (H.S.): In a move aimed at providing relief to mobile subscribers, particularly those from low-income groups, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued new regulations mandating telecom operators to offer affordable recharge plans providing only voice calling and SMS services. The move is intended to ensure that customers who do not use mobile data have suitable options tailored to their needs.

According to the Ministry of Communications, TRAI has issued the Telecom Consumers Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026. TRAI had observed that following the previous amendment, most operators were offering only long-validity voice and SMS packs, leaving consumers with limited options for shorter-duration and lower-priced plans.

Under the new regulations, telecom operators will be required to offer Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs) providing only voice and SMS services for all validity periods for which they offer corresponding recharge plans bundled with data. This will enable consumers to opt for shorter-validity recharges according to their individual requirements.

TRAI has also introduced a provision allowing certain recharge plans to be renewed automatically on a fixed date each month. If that date does not occur in a particular month, the validity of the plan will extend until the last day of that month.

In addition, telecom operators will be required to offer at least one long-validity plan that provides only voice calling and SMS services.

TRAI said the changes would particularly benefit consumers who use mobile data sparingly or do not use it at all and require only calling and messaging services. The new regulations are expected to provide consumers with greater choice, enabling them to select recharge plans according to their needs and financial means.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar