Trai's Bold Move: Affordable Calling and SMS-Only Plans on the Horizon

In a significant move, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has introduced a draft amendment on Tuesday that aims to provide more affordable telecom plans. These plans will focus solely on voice and SMS services, omitting data facilities, thereby ensuring a lower price point for consumers.

Trai mandates every telecom operator to launch at least one special tariff voucher that includes only voice and SMS services. The regulator noticed that current pricing does not reflect the absence of data services, leading to an imbalance that it intends to correct.

This amendment is set to enhance transparency and fairness by providing consumers with a choice that aligns with their usage. The regulator has called for feedback on the proposal by April 28, signaling a potential shift in mobile service offerings in India.