TRAI Proposes New Voice and SMS-Only Plans for Telecom Consumers

Original: TRAI proposes voice-SMS only plans across validity periods; seeks comments till April 28

The Economic Times•Apr 7, 20262 min

In a Nutshell

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has proposed new regulations to enhance the availability of voice and SMS-only tariff plans, addressing consumer demand for such services. Stakeholders are invited to submit comments on the draft regulation by April 28, 2026.

Key Points

01TRAI aims to expand voice and SMS-only tariff plans.
02Current market offerings are limited despite previous regulations.
03Proposed plans must correspond to existing bundled STVs.
04Plans are expected to be priced lower than bundled options.
05Stakeholders can submit feedback until April 28, 2026.

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Full Summary

On Monday, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released the Draft Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulation, 2026, proposing the introduction of voice and SMS-only tariff plans. This move aims to address consumer concerns regarding the limited availability of standalone voice and SMS packs, which remain scarce despite the earlier Twelfth Amendment Regulation, 2024. TRAI highlighted that stakeholders have requested shorter-duration voice and SMS-only packs, particularly for users who do not require data services. To meet this demand, the new proposal mandates that for every unique validity period offered under bundled Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs), telecom operators must also provide a corresponding STV exclusively for voice and SMS. These new plans are expected to be priced lower than existing bundled offerings, ensuring better options for consumers. The draft regulation is available on TRAI's official website, and stakeholders are encouraged to submit their comments electronically by April 28, 2026.

Key Figures

April 28, 2026

Deadline for stakeholder comments

Thirteenth Amendment

Name of the proposed regulation

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Why It Matters

This proposal could lead to more affordable communication options for users who primarily rely on voice and SMS services, potentially reducing monthly expenses for those who do not need data.

Who is affected

Consumers who prefer voice and SMS services over data plans.

What to know

Consumers should consider providing feedback to TRAI to ensure their needs are addressed in the final regulations.

FAQ

The regulation aims to expand the availability of voice and SMS-only tariff plans in response to consumer demand.

Stakeholders can submit their comments electronically to TRAI's Financial and Economic Analysis division by April 28, 2026.

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