TRAI proposes low-cost voice-only mobile packs

Telecom Relief

1. No more forced data bundles for basic users
2. Cheaper calling and SMS packs likely
3. Big relief for rural, elderly, and low-income users
4. Draft stage now, final decision pending soon

metro india news  I hyderabad

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has released a draft proposal aimed at making mobile services more affordable by introducing mandatory voice and SMS-only recharge plans. The move seeks to address concerns that millions of users are being forced to pay for mobile data services they do not use.

Under the proposed framework, telecom operators will be required to offer standalone voice-only packs across multiple validity periods, including short-term, monthly, and long-term options. These plans are expected to be priced lower than existing bundled packs, which currently combine voice, SMS, and data. TRAI has indicated that tariffs for such plans should be proportionately lower, ensuring consumers are not overcharged for services they do not need.

The regulator also pointed out that earlier rules had already mandated telecom service providers to offer at least one Special Tariff Voucher (STV) exclusively for voice and SMS services. However, TRAI observed that only a limited number of such vouchers are currently available in the market, restricting choices for users who prefer basic services.

At present, the Indian telecom market is largely data-driven, with most prepaid and postpaid plans focused on internet usage. This has left basic users, especially those relying only on calling and messaging, with few affordable alternatives. By removing the compulsion to purchase data, TRAI aims to promote fair pricing and enhance consumer choice.

The move is expected to benefit senior citizens, rural users, low-income groups, and people using basic or feature phones who depend mainly on voice calls and SMS services. Industry estimates suggest that around 100 to 150 million mobile users in India still rely primarily on non-data services, highlighting the scale of impact such reforms could bring.

If implemented, telecom companies will have to introduce these voice-only options alongside their existing plans, potentially reshaping pricing strategies and improving transparency in tariff structures across the sector.

The draft regulation has been uploaded on TRAI’s official website, and stakeholders have been invited to submit comments by April 28, 2026. Responses can be sent electronically to the authority’s Financial and Economic Analysis division, after which the regulator will review feedback before finalising the rules. If approved, the proposal could mark a significant shift in India’s telecom sector by prioritising affordability, flexibility, and user choice, offering meaningful financial relief to millions of subscribers.