New Delhi, April 8, 2026: In a significant step towards greater consumer choice in the telecom sector, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has proposed that every telecom operator must offer dedicated Voice and SMS-only tariff vouchers matching the validity periods of their popular bundled plans.
The regulator released the Draft Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulation, 2026 on April 7, putting forward a clear mandate aimed at addressing long-standing demands from millions of users who rely primarily on traditional voice calls and text messages rather than mobile data.
This proposal builds on TRAI’s earlier intervention through the Telecom Consumer Protection (Twelfth Amendment) Regulation, 2024, which had required operators to provide at least one Special Tariff Voucher (STV) exclusively for voice and SMS services. However, the authority noted that the availability of such plans remains limited in the market. Many consumers, especially senior citizens, feature phone users, and those in rural areas, continue to face a situation where they are forced to purchase data-heavy bundles even when they do not need or use internet services.
“Multiple representations have been received from consumers and stakeholders requesting shorter-duration voice and SMS-only recharge packs,” the draft regulation highlights, reflecting the regulator’s direct engagement with public feedback.
Under the new draft rules, telecom service providers will be required to introduce corresponding Voice and SMS-only Special Tariff Vouchers for every unique validity period they currently offer in their bundled voice-SMS-data plans. Importantly, the tariff for these voice-SMS-only vouchers must be proportionally reduced, excluding the cost component of data services. This ensures that users pay only for what they actually need, making telecom services more transparent and affordable.
The proposed amendment is expected to benefit several key consumer segments:
- Senior citizens who primarily use their phones for staying in touch with family through calls and occasional SMS.
- Users of basic feature phones that do not support heavy data usage.
- Rural residents and low-income groups who depend on voice communication but find bundled data packs unnecessary and expensive.
- Anyone looking for simpler, cost-effective recharge options without being pushed into data bundles.
By mandating matching validity periods, TRAI aims to prevent telecom companies from indirectly nudging customers towards higher-value bundled plans even when data is not required. The regulator believes this will bring greater flexibility and fairness in pricing structures across the industry.
Industry observers note that in recent years, bundled data plans have become the dominant offering from major operators like Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone Idea. While data consumption has grown rapidly, a substantial section of the population—estimated in several consumer surveys—still prefers or needs only basic voice and texting services. The new proposal seeks to balance the market by ensuring these users are not left with limited or unattractive options.
The draft regulation has been placed in the public domain on TRAI’s official website for stakeholder consultation. The authority has invited written comments from all interested parties, including telecom operators, consumer groups, and individual users. Comments must reach the regulator by April 28, 2026.
Feedback can be submitted electronically to Shri Vijay Kumar, Advisor (Financial & Economic Analysis), TRAI. The authority has indicated it will carefully examine all submissions before finalising the regulation.
This latest move by TRAI underscores its continued commitment to protecting consumer interests in a rapidly evolving telecom landscape. If implemented, the regulation could mark an important shift towards more inclusive and need-based tariff offerings, allowing millions of Indians to recharge their phones according to their actual usage patterns without paying for services they do not use.
The consultation period provides an opportunity for the industry and public to share practical insights that could shape the final rules. telecom watchers will be closely following the responses and TRAI’s subsequent decisions in the coming weeks.