India’s telecom sector is undergoing changes as Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel introduce new voice and SMS-only plans, alongside updates to their pricing strategies. These shifts come in response to rising demand for affordable options and regulatory scrutiny from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
Why Voice and SMS-Only Plans?
Until now, telecom providers have bundled data services with their recharge plans, leaving customers who primarily use voice calls and SMS—such as elderly users and those in rural areas—paying for data they don’t need. Following increasing complaints, TRAI issued guidelines requiring standalone voice and SMS recharge options. In response, Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone-Idea (Vi) have launched updated plans to meet this demand.
TRAI acknowledged these developments, stating: “It has come to our attention that certain service providers have recently introduced voice and SMS-only plans. These will be reported to TRAI within seven working days of their launch and examined under existing regulations.”
These changes highlight the industry’s effort to address diverse customer needs while ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines.