New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Prepaid mobile users in India are set to have more flexibility in selecting recharge plans following the introduction of the Telecom Consumers Protection (13th Amendment) Regulations, 2026.
The new rules are aimed at expanding the choices available to customers, particularly those who mainly use their phones for voice calls and SMS rather than mobile data.
One of the major changes is the availability of Voice and SMS-only recharge plans. These options are intended for users who do not require internet data and want to pay primarily for calling and messaging services.
The new framework also provides for recharge options with different validity periods, giving customers greater flexibility based on their individual requirements. For users who prefer basic mobile services, such plans could offer an alternative to data-inclusive packages.
The issue of limited recharge choices had also been raised in Parliament by AAP MP Raghav Chadha, who sought greater affordability and flexibility for telecom consumers. Chadha welcomed the government’s move, saying the changes would improve consumer choice and convenience.
The revised regulations are particularly relevant for low-data and voice-focused users, including customers who may not use the internet regularly on their mobile phones.
Telecom operators will determine the specific prices, benefits and validity periods of the plans they offer under the new framework. Consumers will therefore need to check the available options from their respective service providers.
The changes are expected to give prepaid customers more freedom to select plans according to their actual usage rather than relying primarily on bundled voice, SMS and data packages.
