With the new telecom rules imposed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), prepaid mobile recharge might get a cheaper option from October 2026, especially for those who mostly use voice calls and SMS. The Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026, will allow telecom operators to provide consumers with more flexibility when choosing a data plan for their phones, by introducing more options for mobile recharge without data bundles.

Key Highlights

• TRAI will require Jio, Airtel and Vi to offer voice-and-SMS-only recharge plans without bundled mobile data.
• The new telecom rules aim to provide affordable prepaid mobile recharge options, including monthly renewal and longer-validity voice-only plans.

The new telecom rules will also be applicable to all telecom companies in India like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea (Vi). The changes are proposed to reduce the amount of unnecessary mobile data surcharges paid by users. 

Jio, Airtel and Vi Must Offer More Voice-and-SMS-Only Plans

As per the revised guidelines, TRAI has mandated that the telecom companies including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea should offer them Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs) with voice calls and SMS but without mobile data. The plan(s) are required to be available for a period of 30 days or less as are existing bundled plans.

For instance, if an operator offers a bundled recharge with 28 days of validity, it must also provide a voice-and-SMS-only option with the same validity. This will give subscribers who do not require mobile data an alternative to plans that include services they may not use.

Voice-and-SMS-Only Plans Must Be Cheaper Than Bundled Recharges

The new telecom rules also require operators to offer voice-and-SMS-only vouchers at an appropriately reduced tariff compared with plans that include data. The move is intended to help consumers save money by allowing them to pay only for the services they need.

However, TRAI has not prescribed a specific discount or fixed price for these plans. The actual cost and potential savings will depend on the tariffs set by individual telecom operators.

Also Read: RBI New FD Interest Rate Rules Take Effect on October 1: Key Changes

Monthly Recharge Plans Must Renew on the Same Date

The amended regulations require telecom operators to offer at least one voice-and-SMS-only voucher that renews on the same date every month.

For example, a plan activated on the 10th of a month should renew on the 10th of each subsequent month. If a particular month does not have that date, the plan will renew on its last day.

This provision is expected to provide subscribers with a more predictable monthly recharge option, rather than limiting them to plans with fixed validity periods, such as 28 days.

Longer-Validity Voice-and-SMS Plans Will Also Be Available

Telecom firms will also be mandated to provide at least one recharge plan that only allows people to use its phones for voice and SMS services and gives a longer tenure for the recharge.

The plans intends to enable low-income customers and subscribers who mainly rely on SMS and voice calls to make the services more affordable, says TRAI. These plans will enable users to choose the recharge options that would suit their usage and budget.

Will Your Prepaid Mobile Recharge Get Cheaper from October?

On 22nd September, 2026, TRAI finally issued the final amendment. The new regulations will be published in the Official Gazette in 30 days, therefore the new requirements will take effect in October.

Once implemented, operators such as Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea will have to offer voice-and-SMS-only recharge plans without bundled mobile data. These plans must carry an appropriate tariff reduction compared with bundled options.

While the new rules could help subscribers who do not need mobile data reduce their recharge expenses, the extent of savings will depend on the prices announced by individual operators. TRAI has not specified a uniform discount, so consumers will need to compare the available plans before choosing a recharge.

In summary, the proposed amendments to the Regulations aim to increase consumer choice and broaden the applicability of prepaid mobile recharge services for various consumer needs. If they are primarily using their phones for calling and texting, it may be an opportunity for subscribers to stop paying for data services they don't use.