Offer recharge plans with shorter validity: Trai tells telcos

New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) Tuesday has asked telecom operators to offer shorter validity special tariff vouchers (STV) for voice and SMS service, in an effort to have options for users who do not need bundled data.Trai's Telecom Consumer Protection (13th Amendment) Regulation, 2026, says the authority has "observed the limitation in the availability of voice-and SMS-only STVs being offered by telecom service providers, where only a limited number of such STVs, concentrated on longer validities were being offered and making low-income consumers deprived of affordable shorter duration choices."Accordingly, Trai has mandated telcos must come out with "STVs with appropriate reduction in tariff exclusively for Voice and SMS" with validity of upto 30 days and renewable on monthly basis. "...such a tariff framework would sufficiently address consumer needs. This amended regulation will provide low-income consumers with more options, allowing them to recharge according to their requirements and financial capacity. Overall, it will improve choices for consumers preferring not to use STVs bundled with data," Trai says.Get the latest Business News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.