# Trai pushes voice-SMS plans despite operator pushback

> India's telecom regulator mandates voice-only plans to help low-income users avoid data costs.
- Title: Trai pushes voice-SMS plans despite operator pushback
- Summary: India's telecom regulator mandates voice-only plans to help low-income users avoid data costs. Operators must offer affordable voice and SMS plans without…
- Keywords: trai, voice-only, sms-only, jio, airtel, vodafone idea, telecom regulation, data bundles, affordable plans, india, pushes, voice-SMS
- Source: The Economic Times — https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-policy/trai-mandates-voice-sms-only-tariff-plans-despite-jio-airtel-vi-opposition/articleshow/134416114.cms
- Author: ET Bureau
- Published: 2026-09-22T16:07:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: trai, voice-only, sms-only, jio, airtel, vodafone idea, telecom regulation, data bundles, affordable plans, india
## New TRAI rules require voice-SMS plans
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India mandates telecom operators to offer affordable voice and SMS-only tariff plans without bundled data.

> The decision follows opposition from Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea during the consultation process.
## Operators warn of technical issues
Jio claims standalone voice plans are incompatible with 4G and 5G networks and could lower scam costs.

> Jio argued that standalone voice plans were technically incompatible with modern 4G and 5G networks.
## Vodafone Idea fears bill shocks
Vodafone Idea warns removing data from plans could cause unexpected charges for software updates and OTP verification.

> Vodafone Idea warned that removing data from plans could expose users to unexpected charges.
## Consumer groups highlight cost issues
Consumer groups say millions of users in tribal areas pay for unused data due to poor telecom coverage.

> The Consumer Protection Association says Himmatnagar in Gujarat has 300-350 million feature-phone users.
## Regulation targets data waste
The rules aim to help users who cannot use mobile data avoid paying for unused data services.

> They also said that in many tribal and hilly areas, telecom towers fail to function.
## Key takeaway

Operators must offer affordable voice and SMS plans without data bundles for millions who can't use mobile data.