The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released the Draft Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulation, 2026, proposing new rules to ensure telecom users have access to a wider variety of voice and SMS-only tariff plans.
Background: The Push for Non-Data Options
The move addresses consumer demands for more flexible, non-data telecom options. Previously, under the Telecom Consumer Protection (Twelfth Amendment) Regulation of 2024, TRAI mandated that telecom service providers offer at least one Special Tariff Voucher (STV) exclusively for voice and SMS.
However, following the implementation of the 2024 regulation, the Authority observed that operators were offering only a limited number of these exclusive STVs. TRAI subsequently received several representations from consumers expressing a clear need for shorter-duration voice and SMS-only packs.
Proposed Mandate: Matching Validity and Proportional Pricing
To resolve this issue, the proposed Thirteenth Amendment introduces a stricter mandate for telecom operators. Under the draft guidelines, service providers must offer a corresponding voice and SMS-only Special Tariff Voucher for every unique validity period they currently offer under plans that combine voice, SMS, and data.
Additionally, the regulatory draft stipulates that these newly mandated voice and SMS-only STVs must be priced with a “largely proportional reduction in tariff,” ensuring that consumers are fairly charged only for the services they utilize, without the added cost of bundled data.
Public Consultation and Deadlines
The Draft Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulation, 2026, has been made available for public review on the official TRAI website.
TRAI has initiated a public consultation process and is inviting written comments from stakeholders regarding the proposed changes. Submissions must be made by April 28, 2026.