The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has unveiled new regulations to offer prepaid mobile users more flexible recharge options. The new rules, part of the Telecom Consumers Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026, mandate telecom operators like Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone Idea to provide voice-and-SMS-only plans with validity periods of 30 days or less where comparable bundled plans exist.
Additionally, the regulations require that monthly plans automatically renew on the same date each month. In cases where such a date is absent in a given month, the plan will renew on the last day of that month. This change is aimed at simplifying the billing process for consumers by ensuring consistent renewal dates.
TRAI has also instructed telecom operators to offer at least one longer-duration voice-and-SMS-only plan that aligns with the validity of their longer data-bundled plans. This move is intended to cater to consumers who predominantly use their phones for calls and messages, without the need for mobile data, thereby offering more economical options.
The introduction of these provisions follows TRAI’s previous directives issued in December 2024, which highlighted the need for voice-and-SMS-only plans across varying validity periods. TRAI observed that telecom operators had not adequately expanded such offerings, prompting the recent regulatory updates.
The changes are expected to benefit a wide range of consumers, including senior citizens and those seeking cost-effective plans without mobile data usage. By enhancing the flexibility and variety of recharge plans, TRAI aims to provide additional choices and better meet the diverse needs of mobile users in India.