TRAI Pushes for More Voice and SMS Plans

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has directed telecom operators to offer more Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs) with voice and SMS benefits. The regulator has called for affordable voice-and-SMS-only vouchers with shorter validity periods, in addition to longer-duration options. TRAI issued the Telecom Consumers Protection (13th Amendment) Regulations, 2026, on September 22. It noted that despite the earlier requirement for voice-and-SMS-only STVs, operators were offering only a limited number of such plans, with longer validity periods dominating the segment.

Under the new rules, telecom operators must offer a corresponding voice-and-SMS-only STV for every validity period offered for bundled voice, SMS and data STVs, with an appropriate reduction in tariff. The regulator has also called for options with 30-day and shorter validity periods, along with vouchers that allow consumers to renew their plans on the same date every month. TRAI said the changes would give consumers, particularly those who do not require data services, greater flexibility in choosing affordable recharge options. Following the announcement, Vodafone Idea shares gained while Bharti Airtel shares came under pressure.