TRAI Proposes New Rules to Expand Voice & SMS-Only Plans

· The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released the Draft Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulation, 2026.

· Background:

o Under the 12th Amendment (2024), telecom operators were required to offer at least one Voice & SMS-only Special Tariff Voucher (STV).

o However, only limited such plans are currently available.

· Reason for new amendment:

o TRAI received multiple requests from consumers for more options with shorter validity Voice & SMS-only packs.

· Key proposal:

o For every validity period offered in STVs (Voice + SMS + Data), telecom providers must also offer a corresponding Voice & SMS-only STV.

o These plans should have a proportionately lower price.

· Objective:

o Enhance consumer choice and affordability

o Cater to users who do not require data services

· Consultation process:

o Draft regulation available on TRAI’s official website

o Stakeholders can submit comments by 28 April 2026

· Significance:

o Promotes consumer-centric telecom policies

o Ensures fair pricing and flexibility in telecom plans

[ABS News Service/08.04.2026]

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today released the Draft Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulation, 2026.

TRAI had earlier issued Telecom Consumer Protection (twelfth Amendment) Regulation, 2024 wherein the Authority mandated that every telecom service provider shall offer at least one Special Tariff Voucher exclusively for Voice and SMS. Subsequent to this, it is observed that only a few Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs) are being offered for Voice and SMS.

Thereafter, several representations have been received, expressing a need for shorter-duration Voice and SMS only packs.

Hence, the Authority considers it necessary to address this issue by mandating that for every unique validity period offered under Special Tariff Vouchers with Voice, SMS and Data, the service provider shall also offer a corresponding Special Tariff Voucher exclusively for Voice and SMS. Such Special Tariff Vouchers shall be priced with largely proportional reduction in tariff.

The Draft Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulation, 2026 has been placed on TRAI’s website (www.trai.gov.in). Stakeholders are requested to provide their written comments by 28^th April, 2026. Comments may be submitted electronically to Shri Vijay Kumar, Advisor (Financial & Economic Analysis), TRAI, at fea1-div@trai.gov.in.