The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has mandated new rules to enhance flexibility for prepaid mobile users, introducing 30-day plans and voice-and-SMS-only packages. This initiative, outlined in the Telecom Consumers Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026, aims to cater to consumers who primarily rely on their phones for calls and messaging.
Under these regulations, telecom operators like Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone Idea are required to offer voice-and-SMS-only plans with validity periods of 30 days or less, in line with existing bundled plans. Additionally, monthly plans are now set to renew on the same date each month; if that date is absent in certain months, renewal will occur on the last day of that month.
TRAI’s new directives also compel providers to offer at least one longer-duration voice-and-SMS-only plan, comparable to the validity of their longer data-inclusive plans. This move is particularly beneficial for customers who do not require mobile data, such as senior citizens or those seeking more cost-effective options.
The changes follow TRAI’s previous directions from December 2024, which encouraged the expansion of voice-and-SMS-only plans across various validity periods. The regulator observed that operators had not fully implemented these options, prompting the latest measures.
With these provisions, TRAI aims to offer consumers a broader range of choices, accommodating diverse needs and preferences in the telecom landscape.