Mobile recharge plans without data can be cheap. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is working on this. TRAI has released a new draft of ‘Telecom Consumer Protection Regulations, 2026’. The main idea is: “If you don’t need the data, why pay for it?” TRAI has sought suggestions from all stakeholders on this issue before deciding the rules.
What is the new proposal?
Currently, companies offer ‘call and SMS only’ packs for some time. This often forces customers to buy expensive plans that also include data. TRAI has now proposed that along with data-inclusive plans with a specific validity period (e.g. 7, 28, 56 or 84 days), companies should also offer ‘call and SMS only’ plans for the same period.
How much lower will prices go?
Since data accounts for 50-70% of the cost of a mobile plan, after the implementation of the new rule, the price of plans consisting only of calls and SMS may be reduced to half. For example, currently a ₹300 plan can be bought for ₹100 to ₹150.
Who will benefit?
Feature phone users and seniors who don’t use data; People who have a second SIM just for calls; And all those who have Wi-Fi connection at home will benefit from it.
Apps will no longer block important calls from the 1600 and 140 series
1600 Series: Reserved for banks, financial institutions (RBI, SEBI, etc.) and government functions, so that citizens can identify calls related to urgent transactions.
140 Series: Intended for commercial/promotional calls of companies. Customers can block these using DND (Do Not Disturb) service.
Companies will get time to implement new rules
Telecom companies will decide the final price. Once the rules are decided, companies will be given time to implement them. It is expected that this step will increase competition among telecom operators, which will provide cheaper options to the users.
Why did the government have to intervene? It is clear from the draft that customers were not getting proper recharge options, hence the government and the regulator had to intervene. Right now companies are forcing customers to buy expensive and long term plans.
However, implementation of these new rules may reduce unnecessary financial burdens on seniors and customers in rural areas. TRAI will also review the functioning of the companies six months after the implementation of the rules.
