Industry Odisha Bureau, Sep 22: TRAI has expanded mandatory voice-and-SMS-only recharge options. The move targets shorter validity periods specifically. Operators must now offer more choice.
TRAI Expands Voice-and-SMS Recharge Choices
The regulator released the Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulation, 2026, on Tuesday. It requires operators to expand voice-and-SMS-only Special Tariff Vouchers. This applies wherever bundled voice, SMS and data STVs exist. The threshold covers validity periods of 30 days or less. Operators must offer a corresponding voice-and-SMS-only alternative. That alternative requires an appropriate tariff reduction.
Monthly and Longer Validity Plans Become Mandatory
Operators must also provide a monthly renewable voice-and-SMS-only STV. It should renew on the same date each month. Where that date does not exist, renewal shifts to the month’s last day. Beyond this, operators must offer one longer-validity voice-and-SMS-only option. Its duration should match relevant bundled STVs already on offer.
Consumer Affordability Drives Regulatory Change
TRAI said such vouchers were previously limited in number. Existing options clustered around longer validity periods. This left fewer affordable shorter-duration choices, the regulator said. TRAI specifically referenced low-income consumers in its reasoning. It also cited users preferring not to buy bundled data. The authority said the new framework should let people recharge according to their needs and financial capacity.
Consultation Drew 1,132 Responses
TRAI issued its draft amendment on April 7, 2026. The regulator received 1,132 responses from stakeholders. An Open House Discussion followed on June 15. The final regulation emerged from that consultation process.
Telecom Pricing and ARPU Provide Wider Context
The rules arrive as operators continue pursuing monetisation. Bharti Airtel raised entry prices for some unlimited daily-data plans in August. Those plans moved to Rs 349 from Rs 299. Separately, Airtel’s mobile ARPU reached Rs 264 in the June quarter. That compares with Rs 250 a year earlier.
Airtel and Vodafone Idea Shares Diverge
Market movements were mixed around the announcement. Bharti Airtel traded near Rs 1,816.65 on the BSE. That marked a decline of about 0.73%. The reading came around 1:45 PM on Tuesday. Vodafone Idea traded near Rs 14.13 at the same time. That represented a gain of roughly 2.10%. These were intraday figures, not closing prices.
More Choice Without Mandatory Data Bundles
The amended framework centres on prepaid flexibility. Consumers who do not need data now have more defined options. TRAI’s stated aim is broader choice across validity periods. The regulator has not indicated how quickly operators must comply, and the practical effect on pricing across the market remains to be seen as telecom providers adjust their voucher offerings.
