Tech Desk: In a significant move, Airtel has rolled out three new voice-and-SMS-only prepaid recharge plans in India, strategically designed for subscribers who prioritize calls and messaging over mobile data. These plans, priced at Rs. 185, Rs. 203, and Rs. 206, directly respond to a recent directive from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) regarding special tariff vouchers (STVs) with shorter validity periods.

The newly launched Airtel new prepaid plans offer unlimited voice calling benefits across local, STD, and roaming networks, alongside 300 SMS. Subscribers will also enjoy complimentary HelloTunes access for the duration of the offer. Crucially, none of these recharges include any mobile data benefits, making them ideal for feature phone users or those seeking extremely basic connectivity without internet access.

Breaking down the offerings, the Rs. 185 plan provides a 28-day validity. For those needing a slightly longer period, the Rs. 203 plan comes with a 30-day validity. The Rs. 206 plan extends this to a full one-month validity, allowing users to recharge on the corresponding calendar date the following month. This structured approach caters to varying needs while adhering to the TRAI guidelines.

TRAI’s Telecom Consumer Protection Regulations, 2026, mandated that telecom operators provide voice-and-SMS-only STVs with validity periods of 30 days or less. Airtel is among the first to comply, setting a precedent. Rivals like Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea, and BSNL are now expected to introduce or update their own voice-and-SMS-only recharge offerings to meet these new regulatory requirements in the coming days.