TRAI Mandates Voice and SMS-Only Recharge Plans Without Data for Mobile Users

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has introduced a major regulatory change to protect mobile consumer interests by issuing the Telecommunication Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations. Under the new framework, all telecom service providers are now mandated to offer specific recharge plans that bundle only voice calling and SMS facilities without any mandatory mobile data component. This crucial decision comes as a massive relief for millions of consumers, particularly senior citizens, low-income groups, and feature phone users who do not consume mobile internet yet were previously forced to purchase expensive bundled data packs. According to TRAI, the decision was finalized after a comprehensive public consultation process that garnered 1,132 inputs from stakeholders. The regulations dictate that telecom operators must provide short-term voice-and-SMS plans (30 days or less) with convenient renewal dates, as well as long-term validity options devoid of data. Furthermore, TRAI has emphasized that these non-data plans must be priced reasonably lower than their data-bundled counterparts, ensuring fair economic benefits for everyday citizens who prioritize simple connectivity over internet services.