Trai’s new rule allows telcos to issue recharge voucher only by voice, SMS
Telecom regulator Trai on Monday amended the tax rules to allow mobile service providers to roll out a separate plan for voice calls and SMS for non-data customers.
The regulator issued a 90-day break on special coupons and extended it to 365 days.
“…The service provider shall issue at least one Special Tax Voucher for Voice and SMS valid for a period not exceeding three hundred and sixty five days,” said the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) in the Telecom Consumers Protection (Twelfth Amendment) Regulations. , 2024.
This move will help consumers to pay for the services they often use.
During the consultation process, Trai received various views, including several senior citizens, households with broadband at home etc may not need recharge plans bundled with their mobile data.
In an explanatory note, Trai said there is a view that a separate STV for voice and SMS will be mandated, in addition to the existing STV for data only and bundled offerings.
“It is also worth noting that by authorizing only Voice and SMS, STV will provide a choice for subscribers who do not need data, and this in any way will not delay the government’s data inclusion campaign as service providers are free to offer donations and bundled data. Vouchers only,” said the note.
The regulator has also allowed telecom operators to issue recharge vouchers of any value, but they must also issue a recharge voucher of at least Rs 10. Earlier, the law allowed telecom operators to issue vouchers up to the value of Rs 10 and in multiples of 10.
“The Authority is of the view that retention of 210 denomination and its only duplication of additional voucher should be done away with and TSPs can be allowed to issue all vouchers in any denomination they like while retaining the mandate of at least one Super denomination voucher of Rs 10,” the note said.
