TRAI mandates affordable voice-only recharge plans for Indian telecom users

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued fresh guidelines compelling telecom companies to introduce Voice and SMS-only recharge plans across their service portfolios. The directive marks a significant regulatory intervention to ensure affordable connectivity options for all consumer segments.

Under the new mandate, telecom operators must offer voice-only and SMS-only plans for customers with validity periods of 30 days or less. These plans will come with the flexibility of automatic renewal on a fixed date each month, providing subscribers with predictable billing cycles and simplified plan management.

Additionally, operators are required to provide at least one recharge plan with validity exceeding 30 days in the voice and SMS category. This requirement ensures that consumers seeking longer-validity options without data components have adequate choices in the market.

The directive addresses the needs of budget-conscious users and those who primarily rely on voice communication and messaging services. By mandating such plans, TRAI aims to promote digital inclusion while ensuring that telecom services remain accessible across income groups and consumer preferences.

These regulatory changes come as part of TRAI's broader efforts to enhance consumer choice and promote competition in India's telecom sector, with operators required to implement the new plan structures in accordance with the authority's timeline.