The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has unveiled new regulations aimed at enhancing flexibility for prepaid mobile customers by introducing 30-day recharge plans and voice-and-SMS-only packages. Under the Telecom Consumers Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026, telecom operators like Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone Idea are mandated to offer these voice-and-SMS-only plans for various validity periods up to 30 days, where similar bundled plans exist.
A significant aspect of the new rules is the requirement for monthly plans to renew on the same date each month. In cases where the specific date does not occur in a month, the plan will renew on the last day of that month. This move ensures consistency and predictability in billing cycles for consumers.
Furthermore, TRAI has instructed operators to provide at least one extended-duration voice-and-SMS-only plan that aligns with the validity of their longer data-bundled plans. These options cater to consumers who predominantly use their phones for calls and text messages, offering them a more tailored and potentially cost-effective solution without the inclusion of mobile data.
These regulatory changes stem from TRAI’s observations following its directives issued in December 2024, which highlighted a lack of comprehensive voice-and-SMS-only offerings across different validity durations. The new provisions are expected to broaden consumer choices, benefiting demographics such as senior citizens and those seeking more affordable plans without mobile data.
Overall, TRAI’s initiative is designed to address consumer needs more effectively by providing diverse and flexible recharge options, thereby enhancing user satisfaction in the Indian telecom sector.