Do you use your mobile phone mainly for calls and SMS, without needing mobile data? From 21 October 2026, new Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) rules require telecom operators to offer more voice-and-SMS-only recharge options, including shorter validity periods.
The change is intended to give customers more choice instead of making them pay for bundled data they may not use. Airtel has introduced three shorter-duration packs, while Jio and Vodafone Idea (Vi) have longer-validity voice-and-SMS-only options listed in their current offerings.
Here is what the new rule means, what the three operators offer and how to complain if you cannot find an eligible plan.
What does TRAI’s new rule say?
TRAI notified the Telecom Consumers Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026, on 22 September 2026. The relevant requirements take effect on 21 October 2026.
Under the amendment, operators must offer voice-and-SMS-only Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs) with shorter validity periods corresponding to their existing bundled plans with validity of 30 days or less. They must also offer at least one longer-validity voice-and-SMS-only option corresponding to an eligible longer-validity bundled plan.
The rules also require appropriate tariff reductions for plans that do not include data. TRAI has not prescribed one fixed price for every operator.
The objective is to give customers more flexibility, particularly people who use feature phones, maintain a secondary SIM or rely on Wi-Fi for internet access.
Official source: TRAI — Telecom Consumers Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026.
What changes for customers?
| Earlier concern | What the new rules address |
|---|---|
| Most suitable options may include bundled data | Dedicated voice-and-SMS-only alternatives must be offered |
| Shorter-validity options may be limited | Operators must provide corresponding shorter-validity vouchers |
| Customers may need to pay for unused data | Voice-and-SMS-only packs allow customers to choose a plan without bundled data |
| Long-validity packs may require a large upfront payment | Shorter-validity options provide more flexibility |
| Plans can be difficult to locate | TRAI has also directed operators to make the relevant packs more visible to customers |
The rules do not prohibit ordinary plans that include mobile data. Customers can continue choosing data-inclusive recharges if they need internet access.
Airtel, Jio and Vi: Voice-and-SMS-only recharge plans
The following prices and benefits reflect the reported offerings available around the rule’s implementation date. Availability can vary by telecom circle, so check your operator’s app or website before paying.
1. Airtel voice-and-SMS-only plans
Airtel has introduced three shorter-duration options without bundled mobile data.
| Price | Validity | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| ₹185 | 28 days | Unlimited calls and 300 SMS |
| ₹203 | 30 days | Unlimited calls and 300 SMS |
| ₹206 | One calendar month | Unlimited calls and 300 SMS |
The packs include local, STD and roaming voice calls within India, along with 300 SMS. Complimentary HelloTunes access is also included in the reported offer.
The calendar-month option is different from a fixed 30-day validity: it follows the calendar-month cycle.
Check the latest listing through Airtel’s official website or the Airtel Thanks app.
2. Jio voice-and-SMS-only plans
Jio’s listed domestic voice-and-SMS-only options include longer-validity packs.
| Price | Validity | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| ₹448 | 84 days | Unlimited calls and 1,000 SMS |
| ₹1,748 | 336 days | Unlimited calls and 3,600 SMS |
These plans do not include bundled mobile data. They are intended for customers who primarily need calling and messaging.
Jio’s published information also confirms that these domestic plans are valid within India and do not themselves provide international roaming benefits.
Check current prices and availability through Jio’s official website.
3. Vodafone Idea (Vi) voice-and-SMS-only plans
Vi’s reported offerings include the following longer-validity packs.
| Price | Validity | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| ₹470 | 84 days | Unlimited calls and 1,000 SMS |
| ₹1,849 | 365 days | Unlimited calls and 3,600 SMS |
These plans do not include bundled mobile data. The exact availability, benefits and prices should be verified for your circle before recharging.
Check Vi’s official website or the Vi app for the current listing.
Important: These are not necessarily the only plans available. Operators can update their tariffs, and the prices shown above may not appear in every circle. The absence of a plan from one operator’s public page does not, by itself, establish regulatory non-compliance.
Which plan should you choose?
The right option depends on how often you recharge, whether you need data and how much you want to pay upfront.
- Need a shorter recharge cycle? Compare Airtel’s 28-day, 30-day and calendar-month options.
- Want longer validity? Compare the 84-day or longer plans available from Jio and Vi.
- Use mobile internet regularly? A bundled plan may still be more suitable, depending on your calling and data needs.
- Use Wi-Fi for internet access? A voice-and-SMS-only pack may help you avoid paying for mobile data you rarely use.
Compare the total cost, validity, SMS allowance, roaming terms and any additional benefits before choosing. Do not compare prices alone.
What if your operator does not show a voice-and-SMS-only plan?
If you cannot find a suitable plan, first check whether the operator has updated its prepaid section and whether the plan is available in your telecom circle.
Then follow these steps.
Step 1: Check the official recharge page
Look for the voice-and-SMS-only or Special Tariff Voucher section on your operator’s website or app.
You can start here:
Save a screenshot if the relevant plan is missing or the displayed details appear inconsistent with the published offer.
Step 2: Contact customer care
Raise a complaint through your operator’s customer-care channel. Clearly explain which plan or validity option you are looking for and ask whether it is available for your number and circle.
Keep the complaint docket or reference number.
Step 3: Escalate to the operator’s Appellate Authority
If customer care does not resolve the complaint satisfactorily, escalate it to the Appellate Authority for your telecom service area.
TRAI’s consumer guidance explains the two-tier complaint-redressal system: first the service provider’s complaint centre, then its Appellate Authority.
Read the official guidance at TRAI — Consumer Protection.
Step 4: Use TRAI’s official information channels
TRAI regulates telecom services and publishes tariff and consumer-protection rules. It generally expects subscribers to use the operator’s complaint mechanism and appellate process for individual service complaints.
For information about the applicable rules, visit TRAI’s official website.
When reporting a suspected violation, include the operator’s name, your telecom circle, the relevant plan or validity period, screenshots and the complaint reference number.
Do incoming calls and OTPs continue after a recharge expires?
A voice-and-SMS-only plan provides the listed benefits for its stated validity. It does not create a general guarantee that incoming calls, SMS or banking OTPs will continue indefinitely after the recharge expires.
What happens after validity ends depends on the operator’s applicable terms and service conditions. If you rely on a number for banking, Aadhaar-linked services or other important accounts, check the operator’s validity and deactivation rules rather than assuming incoming services will remain active.
Official links to bookmark
- TRAI regulations and amendments: https://trai.gov.in/release-publication/regulations/amendments-page/9264
- TRAI consumer protection guidance: https://www.trai.gov.in/telecom/consumer-protection
- Airtel recharge: https://www.airtel.in/
- Jio recharge: https://www.jio.com/
- Vi recharge: https://www.myvi.in/
Final takeaway
From 21 October 2026, TRAI’s updated rules require telecom operators to offer a broader range of voice-and-SMS-only recharge options, including shorter validity periods. Airtel has introduced ₹185, ₹203 and ₹206 packs, while Jio and Vi have listed longer-validity alternatives.
The main benefit is greater choice for customers who need calls and messages but do not want bundled mobile data. Before recharging, confirm the current price, validity and benefits on your operator’s official platform.
If the required option appears to be missing, raise a complaint with the operator first and escalate it through the prescribed appellate process if necessary.