Stories
TRAI Mandates Voice-SMS Only Recharges From October: No More Unwanted Data!
- •From October 21, telecom operators like Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea must offer voice-and-SMS-only recharge plans.
- •This amendment to TRAI's consumer protection regulations aims to provide more options for users who don't need mobile data.
- •Telecom companies must offer voice-and-SMS-only plans for every validity period of 30 days or less for which they already offer a bundled plan.
- •TRAI has directed operators to offer an "appropriate" price reduction for these data-free plans, though no fixed formula was imposed.
- •The move addresses the lack of shorter-duration voice-and-SMS-only plans, benefiting elderly users, rural customers, and feature phone users.
Key Questions Answered
Under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's updated consumer protection regulations, telecom operators must offer voice-and-SMS-only recharge plans for every validity period of 30 days or less. Companies are also required to provide at least one longer-duration voice-and-SMS-only plan corresponding to any longer-duration data-bundled plan they offer.
Telecom operators including Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea will be required to offer the wider range of voice-and-SMS-only recharge plans starting from around October 21.
TRAI has directed telecom operators to provide an "appropriate" reduction in price when mobile data is removed from a bundled plan, though the regulator chose not to impose a fixed formula or exact price after reviewing industry feedback.
