Launch budget-friendly voice and SMS packages – India TV

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued new guidelines for telecom operators, requiring them to offer separate special tariff vouchers (STVs) for voice calling and SMS services, targeting 2G users. These users, who are currently charged exorbitant fees due to bundled data plans, will now have the option to purchase separate STVs with long validity periods of up to 365 days. TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti emphasized the importance of balancing consumer needs and industry interests, allowing users to opt for services that match their requirements. The new guidelines also relax the requirement for color coding on recharge coupons and remove the stipulation of a minimum recharge value of Rs 10. This move is expected to bring relief to millions of mobile users, offering more affordable voice and calling recharge options. Additionally, TRAI is set to launch a pilot project to integrate paper-based permissions and consents from customers into its digital distributed ledger technology (DLT) platform.