TRAI To Look Into New Voice, SMS Only Plans Introduced By Telecom Firms

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India will examine the newly introduced voice and SMS-only plans that have been launched by telecom companies, in light of the existing regulatory framework. The regulator added that these plans must be reported to TRAI, within seven working days of their launch.

The plans were introduced after TRAI, in a directive dated Dec. 23, asked telecom operators to launch such tariff packs within a month’s time.

Separate special tariff vouchers for voice and SMS, alongside existing data-only special tariff vouchers and bundled offers, should be mandatory, TRAI had said in a note.

“It is also observed that mandating voice and SMS-only STV will provide an option to subscribers who do not require data, and this in any way will not reverse the government initiative of data inclusion, as service providers are at liberty to offer bundled offers and data-only vouchers," the note said.

After the telecom regulator’s direction for voice and SMS only packs, telecom operators, including Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, have introduced new voice and SMS-only plans for prepaid users in India.

Airtel has introduced a new Rs 499 plan, which offers unlimited voice calls and 900 SMS with 84 days validity. Another offering, the Rs 1,959 plan, would offer prepaid users unlimited voice calls and 3,600 SMS and comes with a validity of 365 days.

Jio, too, has unveiled two plans. According to information on the Jio website, the Rs 458 plan—with 84 days validity—offers unlimited voice calls and 1,000 SMSs. The Rs 1,958 plan offers unlimited voice calls and packs in 3,600 SMSs with 365 days pack validity.

Vodafone Idea's new Rs 1,460 plan offers unlimited voice calls and 100 SMS with a validity of 270 days.