The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has set an important deadline for telecom companies. By April 28, 2026, all operators will be required to modify their tariff systems to offer voice-only and SMS-only plans for each available validity period. It will also be necessary to clearly display these plans on the website, mobile app and retail outlets. In other words, for every bundled plan available to consumers—one that includes data, voice, and SMS—there must also be a plan available for voice calls only.
Will the plans become cheaper?
According to TRAI’s draft notification, for every existing bundled plan—comprising data, voice and SMS—operators will now have to offer a separate, voice-only plan with the same validity period. These plans must also see a “substantially proportionate reduction” in price—that is, the price must be reduced by the removal of data services.
Government’s preparations for cheap voice plans completed; But will data become expensive now?
This decision was taken because, according to TRAI, there is a large number of consumers—especially the elderly, people living in rural areas and people from low-income groups—who do not require data services, yet have to purchase expensive bundled plans with data.
Will data plans become expensive?
This new proposal of TRAI has now started a new debate in the telecom sector. While on one hand, this move to introduce voice-only plans may provide relief to consumers who depend only on calls and SMS, on the other hand, there is a growing fear that data plans may become expensive in the future.
Direct intervention in tariff after 20 years
Since 2004, India’s telecom sector has had a policy of “tariff forbearance”, under which companies have the freedom to set their own plans. This policy has been a key reason why India remains one of the cheapest mobile data markets in the world. However, after so many years, this new move by TRAI is a major change from that rule. For the first time in decades, the regulator appears to be directly directing changes in the tariff structure; It has made it mandatory for companies to offer voice-only and SMS-only plans for every validity period.
What relief will this provide to customers?
TRAI’s logic is clear: there are a large number of users in the country who do not need data, but have to buy expensive plans that also include data. If this rule goes into effect:
Customers will be able to choose affordable plans as per their specific needs.
The elderly, rural population and feature phone users will get relief.
The problem of “forced purchase of data” will be reduced.
**Will it be a burden on the pocket?**
But, this is where the situation changes. The telecom industry operates on a “bundled pricing” model, in which revenue from data services helps keep voice services affordable. If voice and data services are completely separated, companies may increase the prices of their data plans. For most users who use both data and voice services, the total cost may increase. While an affordable plan may provide relief to a select few, it may prove to be a more expensive deal for most users.
*Questions raised on ‘Forbearance’ model
TRAI’s move is being considered a departure from the policy framework that had helped make India one of the most affordable telecom markets in the world. Now questions are being raised whether more regulation:
Will the freedom of companies in setting prices be reduced?
Will the pace of innovation in the market be affected?
And, in the long run, will prices rise rather than stabilize?
According to experts, the biggest concern now is that if data plans become expensive, it may hinder the digital expansion of the country. Additionally, if this puts economic pressure on companies’ earnings, investment and expansion in the network may slow down.
