The main idea is to make pricing more flexible. Currently, most telecom plans come bundled with data, voice and SMS benefits. TRAI believes that such bundling often forces users to pay for services they do not use.
To fix this, the regulator has suggested that telecom companies must come with a voice and SMS-only alternative for every bundled plan they offer. In simple terms, if a company has a 28-day, 56-day, or 84-day plan with data, it should also provide the same plans without data.
#TRAI has released the Draft Telecom Consumer Protection (13th Amendment) Regulations, 2026 proposing Voice & SMS-only packs across all validity periods, giving consumers more choice & avoiding forced data bundling.
Share comments by 28 April ’26.
Details: https://t.co/a1Hwxi2Hws pic.twitter.com/X7nHuob3QU— TRAI (@TRAI) April 8, 2026
“Telecom Service Providers introduced Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs) exclusively for Voice and SMS. However, it is observed that only a few STVs are being offered, primarily with two longer validities viz. 80 / 84 days and/or 336/365 days,” TRAI noted in the draft.
Another concern flagged in the draft is pricing. TRAI has noted that even when voice-only plans are offered, their pricing is not fair when compared to bundled plans.
“Voice and SMS Special Tariff Vouchers shall be priced with largely proportional reduction in tariff compared to Special Tariff Vouchers of corresponding validity with Voice, SMS and data,” it stated.
The proposed changes are expected to benefit a large section of users who either have limited use for mobile data or cannot afford higher-priced bundled plans. This includes elderly users who are more comfortable with basic phones, people in rural areas with limited internet access and low-income groups who prefer to control their spending through smaller recharges.
TRAI has also highlighted the need for more short-duration plans. At present, most voice-only options are available for longer periods which may not suit users who prefer frequent, low-value recharges.
“The low-income group consumers, especially those living in rural areas or using feature phones, require shorter validity packs so that they can recharge as per their requirements,” it stated.
The draft proposal comes after earlier efforts to mandate at least one voice and SMS-only pack failed to fully address consumer concerns. The regulator has also invited feedback on the proposal with comments open until April 28.
