- by SANGITA SAHA
- 2023-01-27 13:36:08
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New Delhi: It is impossible to go even a single day without the internet. Yet, there are many people who do not know how to use the internet at all, but are still forced to purchase recharge packs that include data. Economically disadvantaged individuals often face difficulties when buying these data-inclusive packs. Addressing this issue, India's telecom regulator, TRAI, has issued a major directive. They have introduced new rules mandating that every telecom company must offer affordable recharge packs exclusively for voice calls and SMS.
TRAI has introduced the amended Telecom Consumer Protection Regulations, 2026, making it mandatory to offer Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs) with short-term validity that provide only voice calling and SMS facilities. Such voice-call-and-SMS-only packs are comparatively cheaper, allowing ordinary people to spend according to their actual needs.
TRAI stated that this decision was made with low-income subscribers in mind, enabling everyone to recharge their phones based on their specific requirements and financial capacity. Telecom service providers are required to offer STV recharge packs with a validity of 30 days or less. Additionally, they must provide packs that can be renewed on the same day each month or on the last day of the month, allowing customers to repurchase the same plan easily.
Companies must also offer at least one long-validity STV that aligns with the validity periods of existing packs offering voice, SMS, and data services. This ensures that those who do not require data have a suitable alternative available to them.
TRAI had published the draft regulations on its website on April 7 of this year. The move was prompted by the fact that standard voice call and SMS recharge packs were disappearing due to the proliferation of data-inclusive packs, leaving very few options available. Consequently, many people were deprived of affordable recharge choices, and for some, the cost of existing plans was becoming unaffordable. Based on the feedback received, and after careful review and analysis, new regulations were introduced. It became mandatory to offer voice call and SMS recharge packs.
