NEW DELHI: Prepaid mobile users will get more voice-and-SMS-only recharge options, including plans with 30-day or shorter validity and a plan that can renew on the same date every month, under new consumer protection rules notified by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha said the move addresses an issue he had raised in Parliament over 28-day recharge cycles and the lack of voice-only options for users who do not need mobile data.
30-day recharge plans, voice-SMS-only options
TRAI notified the Telecom Consumers Protection (13th Amendment) Regulations, 2026 on September 22.The amendment mandates voice-and-SMS-only Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs) corresponding to validity periods of 30 days and less than 30 days for bundled voice, SMS and data STVs.It also provides for a voice-and-SMS-only voucher that can be renewed on the same date every month.Telecom service providers will have to offer these voice-and-SMS-only vouchers with an appropriate reduction in tariff.The revised framework also requires at least one longer-validity voice-and-SMS-only STV corresponding to the validity of bundled voice, SMS and data plans.The amendment followed a consultation process that received 1,132 responses from stakeholders. TRAI said the changes were intended to give low-income consumers more affordable shorter-duration choices and greater flexibility to recharge according to their requirements and financial capacity.
What Raghav Chadha had raised
In a video message on X, Chadha said prepaid users effectively had to recharge 13 times a year because many monthly plans were valid for 28 days. He had also sought voice-only plans for consumers who do not use mobile data.“There are 12 months in a year, but prepaid users have to recharge 13 times. Why is there a monthly recharge of 28 days? 30-days validity plans should be introduced” Chadha said, adding that he had called for 30-day validity plans.Chadha said the change would particularly benefit consumers who do not require mobile data, including senior citizens and low-budget users who primarily use their phones for calls.“Many consumers who do not want data but want voice-only plans, prepaid voice-only plans for incoming and outgoing facilities will be made available,” he said.TRAI’s new framework builds on its earlier provisions for voice-and-SMS-only packs. The regulator describes such plans as prepaid offerings providing voice and SMS without data for users who do not require internet services.
Chadha calls it ‘constructive politics’
Chadha said the development showed how issues raised by elected representatives and supported by the public could translate into regulatory action.“I think this is a perfect example of constructive politics,” he said, adding that he hoped similar efforts would continue to address what he described as the “real problems” faced by people.(With ANI inputs)
