The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has amended tariff regulations to require mobile service providers to offer standalone plans for voice calls and SMS, excluding data services. This initiative aims to benefit feature phone users, senior citizens, and rural consumers who primarily use voice and SMS services.

Under the new rules, telecom operators must provide at least one Special Tariff Voucher (STV) exclusively for voice and SMS, with a validity of up to 365 days. This change addresses concerns that bundled data plans were imposing unnecessary costs on users who do not require internet services.

TRAI’s decision reflects its commitment to consumer choice and affordability, ensuring that users can select plans that align with their specific communication needs. The regulator has also removed the previous 90-day cap on special recharge coupons, extending the validity to a maximum of 365 days.

This move is expected to provide more flexibility and cost-effective options for users who prioritize voice and SMS services over data.