TRAI Releases Draft Amendment to Expand Voice and SMS Only Telecom Vouchers
India’s telecom regulator has released a draft amendment aimed at expanding consumer choice in mobile tariff plans. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is proposing changes that would require service providers to offer voice and SMS-only tariff vouchers for each validity period currently available under bundled plans. The proposal, published on 7 April 2026, seeks stakeholder feedback and is intended to address consumer demand for shorter-duration packs that do not include mobile data.
According to the official announcement of the draft Telecommunication Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026, the regulator has invited written comments from stakeholders until 28 April 2026. Submissions may be sent electronically to the authority’s Financial and Economic Analysis division for review as part of the consultation process.
Background to the Proposed Amendment
The proposal builds on the Telecommunication Consumer Protection (Twelfth Amendment) Regulations, 2024, which required telecom operators to provide at least one Special Tariff Voucher (STV) dedicated to voice and SMS services. The earlier rule was intended to ensure that consumers who do not require mobile data—such as some elderly users or basic phone subscribers—could still access affordable communication services.
However, the regulator found that operators were generally offering only a limited number of these voice and SMS-only vouchers. At the same time, TRAI reported receiving multiple representations from users requesting shorter validity packs designed specifically for voice calls and messaging.
Requirement for Voice and SMS Options Across Validity Periods
To address these concerns, the draft amendment proposes that whenever a telecom provider offers a bundled STV that includes voice, SMS, and data for a specific validity period, it must also provide a corresponding voucher limited to voice and SMS for the same duration.
The regulator also indicated that these voice and SMS-only vouchers should reflect a proportionate reduction in price compared with bundled offerings that include mobile data. The aim is to ensure that consumers who do not need internet services are not required to pay for features they do not use.
Consultation Process and Stakeholder Input
The draft regulation has been published on the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India website for public consultation. Stakeholders, including telecom operators, consumer groups, and industry experts, are invited to submit written comments by 28 April 2026.
The consultation forms part of India’s broader efforts to improve consumer safeguards while expanding digital connectivity nationwide. As the country continues to scale next-generation networks, including initiatives highlighted in India’s push for 4G, 5G and satellite-enabled connectivity, regulators are also examining how tariff structures affect accessibility for different user groups.
Telecom policy developments are also occurring alongside wider international cooperation in the sector, such as recent initiatives where India and Sweden expanded collaboration on telecom and digital technologies. Within this evolving landscape, the proposed amendment reflects ongoing regulatory attention to consumer protection and equitable access to basic communication services.
