TRAI proposes voice-SMS only plans across validity periods; seeks comments till April 28

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Monday released the Draft Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulation, 2026, proposing measures to expand the availability of voice and SMS-only tariff plans.

The draft regulation aims to address concerns over the limited availability of standalone voice and SMS packs, despite earlier directions issued under the Twelfth Amendment Regulation, 2024. Under those rules, telecom service providers were mandated to offer at least one Special Tariff Voucher (STV) exclusively for voice and SMS services. However, TRAI noted that only a few such vouchers are currently available in the market.



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The regulator said it has received multiple representations from stakeholders highlighting the need for shorter-duration voice and SMS-only packs, particularly for users who do not require data services.

To address this gap, TRAI has now proposed that for every unique validity period offered under bundled STVs (voice, SMS, and data), telecom operators must also provide a corresponding STV exclusively for voice and SMS. These plans are expected to be priced proportionately lower than bundled offerings.

“The Authority considers it necessary to ensure availability of such options for consumers,” TRAI said in its statement.

The draft regulation has been uploaded on TRAI’s official website, and stakeholders have been invited to submit comments by April 28, 2026. Responses can be sent electronically to the authority’s Financial and Economic Analysis division.