The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper on the Draft Thirteenth Amendment to the Telecom Consumers Protection Regulations.
The proposal addresses a key gap in current market offerings, where non-data users are often required to purchase bundled recharge packs, even if they only need voice and SMS services. Although earlier regulations mandated Voice and SMS-only Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs), these were typically offered only with long validity periods and at relatively high prices, limiting their usefulness.
The draft amendment proposes that telecom operators must offer Voice and SMS-only STVs across all validity periods available in bundled packs, with prices reflecting the exclusion of data. The objective is to improve affordability, choice, and accessibility, particularly for elderly, rural, and low-income users.
Current Problems Identified by TRAI
Limited Choices: Voice-only packs are mostly available for long durations (84 or 365 days), leaving short-term users with no affordable options.
Unfair Prices: The cost of non-data packs did not drop enough even though the expensive data portion was removed.
Forced Buying: Many users have to buy data plans just to keep their SIM cards active, leading to wasted money.
Hidden Offers: Non-data packs are often hard to find on apps or at shops, making it difficult for less tech-savvy users to choose them.
Proposed Changes to the Rules
Matching All Packs: For every data-heavy plan a company sells, they must offer a matching Voice and SMS-only version with the same number of days.
Lower Costs: Prices for Voice-only packs must be clearly lower than data-bundled packs to reflect the savings.
Easy to Find: These cheaper packs must be displayed prominently on websites, apps, and at retail stores.
Check-In Period: TRAI will review how well these rules are working six months after they start.
What is an "STV (Special Tariff Voucher)"?
An STV is a prepaid recharge voucher that provides specific benefits, like lower call rates, free SMS, or data, for a fixed period. It acts as a catalyst for Consumer Affordability because it allows users to customize their mobile plans based on their actual usage patterns rather than paying a flat high fee.
This mechanism manifests as a transition from "standard tariffs" to "customized benefits," where consumers pay only for what they need. For TRAI, regulating STVs is a primary lever to benchmark a trajectory where telecom services remain accessible to even the most marginalized sections of Indian society.
Policy Relevance
Measures the Cost Burden on Low-Income Users: The new rules highlight how rural and elderly consumers are effectively paying for internet networks they do not use.
Identifies Market Failure in Fair Pricing: The draft shows that competition alone did not lower prices for Voice-only services, making it necessary for the government to step in.
Exposes Tactics Used to Raise User Spending: By requiring equal validity days, the policy stops companies from pushing users toward expensive, long-term commitments.
Addresses Barriers Caused by Complex Menus: Mandating that these packs stay visible ensures that people who aren't tech-savvy can still find and buy the cheapest options available.
Follow The Full News Here: TRAI: Draft Telecom Consumers Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026