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TRAI Proposes Stronger Telecom Consumer Protection Norms

  • 08 Apr 2026

On 7th April 2026, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released a draft amendment to strengthen consumer protection, proposing mandatory availability of voice and SMS-only packs across all validity periods.

Key Points

  • Draft Regulation:
    • Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulation, 2026.
    • Aims to enhance consumer choice and affordability.
  • Background:
    • 2024 (Twelfth Amendment) mandated at least one voice & SMS-only Special Tariff Voucher (STV).
    • Limited availability of such vouchers observed in the market.
  • Issue Identified:
    • Lack of short-duration voice & SMS-only packs.
    • Many consumers forced to buy bundled data packs.
  • New Proposal:
    • For every STV (voice + SMS + data), a corresponding voice & SMS-only pack must be offered.
    • Applies across all validity periods.
  • Pricing Structure:
    • Voice & SMS-only packs to be priced proportionately lower.
    • Reflects exclusion of data services.
  • Target Beneficiaries:
    • Elderly users;
    • Feature phone users; and
    • Consumers with low or no data requirements.
  • Objective:
    • Improve affordability and flexibility.
    • Ensure inclusive telecom services.
  • Public Consultation:
    • Draft released for stakeholder feedback.
    • Comments invited till April 28, 2026.