Mobile Recharge / Relief for Non‑Data Users as TRAI Mandates Cheaper Packs

New Delhi, Sep 22: Mobile users who rely mainly on calling and SMS rather than internet data are set to benefit from cheaper recharge options.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has introduced new rules requiring operators like Jio, Airtel, Vi and others to provide voice‑and‑SMS‑only packs at lower prices.

Until now, most prepaid plans bundled calling, SMS, and data together, forcing even non‑data users to pay for internet services they rarely used.

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TRAI’s new regulation, issued under the Telecom Consumer Protection Act on September 21, 2026, aims to correct this imbalance.

Under the new framework, telecom operators must launch special tariff vouchers (STVs) that exclude data benefits and focus solely on calling and SMS. These packs will carry a validity of 30 days, instead of the current 28‑day cycle, giving consumers more value. If shorter validity packs are offered, the calling and SMS benefits must match the duration of the plan.

Importantly, TRAI has not fixed a specific price but directed operators to keep these packs affordable compared to data‑inclusive plans. This means subscribers who do not require internet can recharge at lower rates.

The move follows TRAI’s earlier directive in December 2024, when operators were asked to introduce calling‑and‑SMS packs. However, most of those plans had long validity periods ranging from 80 to 365 days, leaving few low‑cost options for short‑term users. The new rule ensures more flexible and economical choices.

Telecom companies are expected to roll out these revised packs within 30 days of the official notification. For millions of users — particularly senior citizens and those in rural areas who use phones mainly for voice calls — the change could significantly reduce monthly expenses.

While data‑heavy users will see no change in pricing, the introduction of cheaper non‑data packs marks a major consumer‑friendly step in India’s telecom sector.