TRAI has released the Draft Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulation, 2026 to improve consumer choice in telecom tariff plans. The draft seeks to ensure that for every validity period offered in Special Tariff Vouchers with voice, SMS and data, telecom service providers must also offer a corresponding voucher exclusively for voice and SMS. The move follows concerns that only a limited number of such voice and SMS-only packs are currently available, especially for shorter durations.
Background to the Draft Amendment
TRAI had earlier introduced the Telecom Consumer Protection (Twelfth Amendment) Regulation, 2024. That rule required every telecom service provider to offer at least one Special Tariff Voucher exclusively for voice and SMS. However, the availability of such plans remained limited in practice. TRAI has now proposed a stronger framework to expand consumer options.
Key Proposal in the Draft
The draft regulation requires service providers to match every unique validity period available in bundled STVs with a voice and SMS-only STV of the same duration. These special vouchers must be priced with a largely proportional reduction in tariff. The aim is to make non-data packs more accessible for consumers who mainly need calling and messaging services.
Consumer Protection Objective
The proposal is intended to address demand for shorter-duration voice and SMS packs. It also seeks to prevent a situation where consumers are forced to buy data-inclusive packs when they only require basic telephony services. The measure is part of TRAI’s broader consumer protection mandate in the telecom sector.
Consultation Process and Next Step
The draft has been placed on TRAI’s website for stakeholder comments. Written submissions are invited by 28 April 2026. Stakeholders may send electronic comments to TRAI’s Advisor (Financial and Economic Analysis). The consultation process will help finalise the amendment before it is notified.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026