TRAI Recharge Rules 2026: Mobile plans without data can be cheaper, only call-SMS plans are expected to be cheaper by 50-70%

Business Desk – TRAI Recharge Rules 2026: Big relief is being prepared for mobile users. Mobile recharge plans without data may soon become cheaper. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released the draft of ‘Telecom Consumer Protection Regulations, 2026’. It is proposed that customers who do not use the internet will not have to pay for data.

TRAI has sought suggestions from telecom companies and other stakeholders on this draft. After the implementation of the proposal, companies will also have to launch ‘call and SMS only’ plans with the same validity as data plans. This can directly benefit feature phone users, elderly people and millions of customers having second SIM.

What is TRAI’s new proposal?

At present, telecom companies provide ‘call and SMS only’ plans only for a limited period. In such a situation, even those who do not need internet are forced to do expensive recharge with data.

TRAI has proposed that companies should also provide ‘call and SMS only’ plans with the same validity as data plans (e.g. 7, 28, 56 or 84 days). With this, customers will be able to choose the plan according to their needs.

How low can prices go?

The share of data in the total price of a mobile recharge plan is around 50 to 70 percent. In such a situation, if the data is removed, the price of the plan consisting only of calls and SMS can be significantly reduced. For example, if a data plan is priced at Rs 300, then a call and SMS only plan for the same duration can be available for around Rs 100 to Rs 150. However, the right to decide the final price will remain with the telecom companies.

Who will benefit the most?

Feature phone users, the elderly and those who do not use the internet will benefit the most from this proposal. Apart from this, those who keep the second SIM only for calling or who already have Wi-Fi available in their home and office will also be able to avail the benefits of the low cost plan.

Apps like Truecaller will not be able to block urgent calls

TRAI has also clarified in its draft that call management apps like Truecaller will not be able to block urgent calls coming from 1600 and 140 series numbers. 1600 series numbers are assigned to financial institutions like banks, RBI, SEBI and government services, so that people can easily identify important transactions and official calls.

Whereas, 140 series numbers are for promotional and advertising related calls. If a customer does not want to take these, he can turn them off through DND (Do Not Disturb) service.

Suggestions sought before implementation of rules

TRAI has currently released the draft of this proposal and has sought suggestions from all concerned parties. The rules will be finalized after considering the suggestions. After this, telecom companies will be given some time to implement the new rules. It is believed that this will increase competition among companies and customers will get the option to choose cheap mobile recharge plans as per their need.