Technology Desk: If your phone uses very little mobile data, then this news is useful for you. Now the need to take expensive recharge just for calling and SMS can be reduced. TRAI has issued new rules for telecom companies. Under this, companies including Jio, Airtel, Vi will have to provide more options for voice and SMS-only plans. Mobile data will not be available in these plans. Therefore, people who do not need data will be able to choose only call and SMS recharge.
If you don't need the data, then why pay for it?
Today, most recharges include calling, SMS and data. The problem is for those customers who do not need mobile internet. Suppose an elderly person in the house has only a calling phone. Or someone has a second SIM, which is used only for calls. Many times such customers also have to take a data plan. Now TRAI's new rule is going to change this problem.
If there is a data plan of 28 days then you will have to pay even for the one without data.
The most important thing about the new rule is related to the validity of the plan. If a company offers a plan with Voice, SMS and Data for 28 days, then it will also have to offer a Voice-SMS-only option for 28 days. Similarly, for data-bundled plans with second validity of 30 days or less, the option without data will also have to be given. This means that the customer will no longer be forced to take only one type of recharge.
Not only the data will be removed, the price will also have to be reduced.
The most important thing here is the price. TRAI has told the companies that the price of Voice-SMS-only plans will have to be reduced appropriately in accordance with the removal of data. However, TRAI has not fixed any fixed price. Therefore, it would not be correct to say that the 28 day plan will now be available at a specific price only. Companies will be able to decide their own prices. But in plans without data, the price will have to be reduced appropriately.
You can get relief even after 28 days cycle
There is also a special change in the new rule regarding the date of recharge. Companies will have to offer at least one Voice-SMS-only plan, which can be renewed on the same date every month. For example, your recharge ends on the 15th. So the next renewal can also happen on 15th. If 15th of the next month is not available, renewal will take place on the last date of that month. However, this does not mean that every 28 day plan will automatically become 30 days.
84 day and 365 day recharge will also be available
If you prefer recharge with long validity, then there will be an option for you too. TRAI has asked to keep the option of Voice-SMS-only plans with long validity. The validity of such a plan can be up to 365 days. That means, instead of recharging every month, only calling customers will be able to choose longer validity.
Jio, Airtel and Vi will have to increase options
The new rule will have a direct impact on the prepaid plans of telecom companies. Jio, Airtel and Vi may have to increase the number of Voice-SMS-only options. According to TRAI, in December 2024 also it was made mandatory for companies to provide at least one Voice-SMS-only STV. After this the companies introduced such plans. But according to TRAI, options with shorter validity remained quite limited.
Who can benefit most?
Customers using less data can benefit the most from this rule. Feature phone users can also use such plans. The elderly and those having a second SIM only for calling will also get the option. It can also be useful for those who use Wi-Fi at home or office.
Will all mobile recharges become cheaper?
No, it would not be right to say this. TRAI has not ordered to reduce the price of all mobile recharges. The benefit of the rule will mainly be available to those customers who do not need mobile data. Those who need internet data will be able to take data plans like before. That means data-bundled plans will not end.
When will the new rule come into effect?
TRAI has released the Telecom Consumer Protection Regulation 2026 on 21 September 2026. This rule will not be implemented immediately. It will come into force 30 days after its publication in the official gazette. After this, Jio, Airtel, Vi and other telecom companies will have to provide their plans as per the new rules.
