Telecom companies Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vi reportedly oppose TRAI’s proposal to mandate standalone voice and SMS plans
In April, TRAI released the Draft Telecom Consumer Protection (13th Amendment) Regulations 2026, proposing voice-and-SMS-only packs across all validity periods, so that users who do not need data can avoid paying extra for the service without even using it.
Previously, telecom companies introduced voice-only plans when TRAI mandated that every company offer one. And now, TRAI asked for feedback on the above-mentioned draft for approval. Reportedly, major telecom companies like Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vi have strongly opposed this proposal.
It is said that the three operators also urged TRAI to hold the status quo at an open-house discussion on this matter.
Reports reveal that, as per Jio, the 4G and 5G networks are fully Internet Protocol (IP) based, so voice runs as an application over the data bearer and separating the two is artificial. The company also said that separating data could lower barriers for fraudsters and increase spam and cyber fraud. According to Jio, its existing voice-only plans have seen limited demand, suggesting that most of its subscribers rely on data services.
Meanwhile, Vi is said to have warned about surprise charges, and Airtel mentioned that the voice-only plans could create a segment of users cut off from the digital ecosystem.
Consumers have argued that low-income, rural and elderly users are being forced to buy costly data packs that they don’t need.
Let’s see what TRAI decides based on the feedback received from consumers and telecom operators.
