Key Points
- TRAI proposes mandatory voice and SMS packs for every data plan validity period
- New packs must be priced with proportional reduction compared to data bundles
- Public comments invited until 28 April 2026
TRAI has proposed new rules that would require telecom companies to offer voice and SMS packs for every validity period currently available with data plans. The draft regulation released on Monday aims to give mobile users who do not need internet access a cheaper alternative to bundled tariff plans.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India published the Draft Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulation, 2026 on its website. Public comments are invited until 28 April 2026.
TRAI wants more voice-only options
The regulator noted that despite earlier rules mandating at least one voice and SMS pack, telecom operators have offered only a few such options. TRAI said it had received several representations from users asking for shorter-duration packs that exclude data.
Under the proposed amendment, if a telecom company offers a Special Tariff Voucher, a prepaid recharge pack with a specific validity and set of benefits, with voice, SMS and data for a particular duration, it must also offer a corresponding pack with only voice and SMS for the same validity period.
The regulator has specified that these voice and SMS packs must be priced with a largely proportional reduction compared to the data-inclusive versions. This means users who only want to make calls and send text messages would pay less than those who also use mobile internet.
TRAI had issued the Telecom Consumer Protection (Twelfth Amendment) Regulation in 2024, which required every telecom operator to offer at least one Special Tariff Voucher exclusively for voice and SMS. However, the authority found that compliance was minimal, with only a handful of such packs available across service providers.
The gap affects users who rely on mobile phones primarily for calls, particularly in rural areas and among older demographics who may not use smartphones for internet access. These users currently pay for data benefits they do not use.
Your Questions, Answered
What is TRAI proposing in the new draft regulation?
TRAI proposes that telecom operators must offer a voice and SMS pack for every validity period currently available with data plans. These packs must be priced proportionally lower than data-inclusive options.
Who will benefit from these proposed rules?
Users who primarily make voice calls and send SMS but do not use mobile internet would benefit. They would have access to cheaper recharge options without paying for data they do not use.
How can I submit comments on the TRAI draft regulation?
Written comments may be submitted electronically to [email protected] by 28 April 2026. For clarifications, contact Vijay Kumar, Advisor at TRAI, at 011-20907773.
When will the new regulation come into effect?
The regulation is currently in draft stage. TRAI will review public comments received by 28 April 2026 before finalising the amendment. No implementation date has been announced.
