There is news of great relief for mobile users. Telecom regulator TRAI has released a new draft of ‘Telecom Consumer Protection Regulations, 2026’ keeping in mind the interests of the customers. The main objective of this proposal is that customers who do not need mobile data are not forced to buy expensive data plans.
TRAI has sought suggestions from all concerned parties on this draft. It will be finalized after receiving suggestions. If this rule is implemented then crores of mobile customers can get cheap recharge options.
Now only call-SMS plan will be available for every validity
At present, telecom companies provide ‘call and SMS only’ plans only for some selected periods. Due to this, many users are forced to take a plan which includes data even though they do not need internet.
According to TRAI’s new proposal, if a company launches a data plan with validity of 7 days, 28 days, 56 days or 84 days, then it will also have to provide a data-free plan of the same period i.e. only calls and SMS. This will give customers the freedom to choose the mobile plan as per their need.
Expenses expected to reduce by 50-70%
The highest expenditure in mobile recharge plan comes on data. According to estimates, in many plans, about 50 to 70 percent of the total price is for data facility. In such a situation, if the customer needs only calling and SMS, then after the implementation of the new rule, he may have to pay a much lower price. For example, if the data plan of a company is Rs 300, then the plan with only calls and SMS can be available for around Rs 100 to 150.
These users will get the most benefit
This proposal of TRAI will be especially beneficial for those customers who do not use mobile data. These include people using feature phones, elderly people and many users from rural areas. Apart from this, people who keep the second SIM in their smartphone only for calling will also benefit. At the same time, this change can also bring relief for those houses which already have Wi-Fi connection and who require less mobile data.
Customers will get more freedom
TRAI believes that this step is necessary to increase transparency in mobile services and to give consumers options as per their needs. Many customers have been demanding for a long time that they should be provided with cheaper plans only for calling. If the proposal is approved, the telecom companies will have to make changes in their plan portfolio. This will bring new options in the mobile recharge market and customers will get a chance to spend as per their needs. Now after taking the opinion of all the parties, TRAI will finalize this draft. Only after this it will be clear when the new rule will come into effect.
