TRAI Directs Telecom Companies to Launch Affordable Call and SMS-Only Recharge Plans
NEW DELHI — In a major relief for millions of prepaid mobile consumers across the country, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued new regulations mandating telecom operators to introduce cheaper recharge plans offering only calling and SMS benefits.
TRAI has officially notified the ‘Telecom Consumers Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026’. Under these updated rules, major telecom service providers—including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea (Vi), and BSNL—will now be required to offer dedicated, cost-effective prepaid plans tailored specifically for users who do not require internet data.
Key Highlights of the Decision:
* No Forced Data Bundling: Consumers who only need basic connectivity will no longer be forced to purchase expensive bundled plans that include daily internet data.
* Cheaper Recharge Options: The introduction of voice and SMS-only packs is expected to significantly lower monthly mobile expenses for budget-conscious users, senior citizens, and feature phone holders.
* Universal Mandate: All major telecom operators (Jio, Airtel, Vi, and BSNL) must comply with the new notification and roll out these standalone calling and SMS options.
This regulatory decision aims to safeguard consumer interests by providing greater flexibility and eliminating unnecessary spend on data services for non-data users. Telecom operators are expected to announce the details and pricing of these new plans soon.