Mobile recharge has become more expensive in recent years, especially for users who only need calling and SMS services. Many people are forced to pay for data even when they don’t use it.
To solve this problem, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has proposed a new rule that could make recharge plans much cheaper for millions of users.
Voice and SMS Plans With More Validity
At present, telecom companies mainly offer recharge plans that include data along with calling and SMS benefits. These plans are available with validity of 7, 28, 56, and 84 days.
Under TRAI’s proposal, telecom operators may also have to offer voice-only and SMS-only plans with the same validity periods. This will allow users to choose a plan based on their actual needs instead of paying for data they do not use.
No Need to Pay for Unused Data
According to media reports, TRAI believes that users who do not require mobile internet should have the option to buy recharge plans that include only calling and SMS.
At present, many customers have no choice but to purchase data plans even if they only use their phone for calls and messages. The new proposal aims to give these users a more affordable option.
Who Will Benefit the Most?
The biggest beneficiaries will be people who use feature phones or those who rarely use mobile data.
These plans will also be useful for users who keep a second SIM card active only for calls, OTPs, or banking purposes. They will no longer have to spend extra on data they never use.
How Much Cheaper Could the Plans Be?
TRAI has indicated that voice-only and SMS-only recharge plans could cost more than 50% less than many current recharge plans.
Since these plans will not include mobile data, their prices are expected to be much lower, making them a budget-friendly option for millions of users if the proposal is approved.
