TRAI Mandates Cheaper Voice-Only Recharges: What Changes for Airtel, Jio, Vi Users

Millions of Indians who rarely touch mobile data may soon get some relief on their monthly recharge. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has finalised the Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026. These regulations say that telecom companies must provide plans that only include voice and SMS. These plans must not have any data included. The rules are for all the operators in the country. including Jio, Airtel and Vi.

More calling-and-SMS plans are now compulsory

Operators must now offer Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs) that include voice calls and SMS but no mobile data. These must be available for validity periods of 30 days or less, mirroring the validity of existing bundled plans. If a company sells a 28-day plan with data, it must also sell a 28-day voice-and-SMS-only version. Users who never use data no longer have to pay for it.

Prices must come down, but by how much is unclear

TRAI has directed operators to price these vouchers with an "appropriate reduction in tariff" compared with plans that include data. The regulator has not, however, fixed a specific discount or price. Actual savings will depend on what each company decides to charge.

A plan that renews on the same date every month

Operators must also provide at least one voice-and-SMS-only voucher that renews on the same calendar date every month. If your plan renews on the 10th, it will renew on the 10th each month. Where a month lacks that date, renewal will fall on the last day of the month. This offers an alternative to plans with fixed validity periods, like 28 days, which slowly drift across the calendar.

Longer-validity options are required too

Telecom companies must also offer at least one voice-and-SMS-only plan with a longer validity period, similar to the long-term plans that include data. TRAI says the changes will give low-income consumers more affordable recharge options that suit their needs and budgets. They should also help people who skip mobile data and would rather pay only for calls and SMS.

When will your bill actually drop?

TRAI published the amendment on September 22 2026. The rules will start working 30 days after they are printed in the Gazette. That means they might begin in October. When they start Jio, Airtel and Vi must provide voice and SMS plans. These plans will not have data included. The cost of these plans must be lower, than the ones that include data.

The bottom line

For now, whether your prepaid bill shrinks is up to the operators, since no fixed discount has been announced. But the direction is clear: the regulator wants basic-phone users, older customers and budget-conscious households to stop subsidising data they never use. Consumers should watch for new plan announcements once the rules take effect, and compare prices carefully before recharging.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kahekashan

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Kahekashan is a passionate technophile with a keen eye for cutting-edge gadgets, emerging technologies, and everything in the digital realm. Raised in a Defence family with strong values and a background in literature, she has consistently pursued excellence in every endeavour. Her last full-time assignment involved content writing with the Indian School of Business.

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