Airtel Rolls Out Three Voice-Only Recharge Plans Ahead of TRAI’s October 21 Deadline

Airtel Launches Three Voice-Only Prepaid Plans Ahead of TRAI Compliance Deadline

Bharti Airtel has introduced three voice-only prepaid recharge plans, expanding its offerings for customers who primarily use their mobile phones for calls and text messages. The launch comes ahead of the October 21 deadline set by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for telecom operators to provide voice-only recharge options.

Airtel confirmed the launch to Hindustan Times. The three plans are priced at ₹185, ₹203 and ₹206, with different validity periods. Each pack includes unlimited local and national voice calls along with 300 SMS, without a bundled mobile data allowance. The plans are now available on the Airtel app for prepaid subscribers.

Airtel’s New Voice-Only Recharge Plans

The newly introduced options offer different validity periods to suit customers’ calling requirements.

• ₹185 plan: Valid for 28 days.
• ₹203 plan: Valid for 30 days.
• ₹206 plan: Valid for one calendar month.

All three plans include unlimited local and national voice calls and 300 SMS. By excluding data benefits, the packs are designed for subscribers who do not need internet access as part of their regular mobile recharge.

TRAI Sets Deadline for Voice-Only Plans

In September, TRAI directed telecom operators, including Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea (Vi), to offer voice-only recharge options. The regulator set October 21 as the compliance deadline, providing operators with a 30-day period to implement the requirement.

Airtel is the first among these operators to introduce the new set of plans, according to the report. The move addresses concerns from consumers who have argued that conventional 4G and 5G recharge packs often include data benefits they do not use, particularly those relying on feature phones for calls and messaging.

The requirement also calls for voice-only options with validity periods of 30 days or less, maintaining comparable validity choices alongside plans that include mobile data.

Feature Phone Users Remain a Significant Market

India has an estimated 220 million feature phone users, making voice-focused recharge options relevant to a substantial section of the mobile market.

In August, CyberMedia Research reported that India’s 2G-based feature phone user base had grown by 5% year-on-year. Itel held the largest share of this segment at 38%, followed by Lava at 30% and HMD at 20%.

Many feature phone users rely primarily on calling and SMS services rather than mobile internet. For these subscribers, data-inclusive recharge packs may offer limited practical value, making dedicated voice-only plans a potentially more suitable alternative.

Rising Phone Costs Add to Demand for Affordable Plans

Increasing component costs have pushed up the prices of new mobile phones, encouraging some consumers to extend the life of their existing devices rather than upgrade frequently. This trend has helped sustain demand for affordable connectivity options, particularly among users who continue to rely on basic handsets.

By separating voice and messaging benefits from data allowances, telecom operators can offer recharge options tailored to customers who do not require mobile internet services.

Airtel’s latest additions provide prepaid users with three choices under the new voice-only category. Depending on customer response, the company could consider introducing longer-validity voice-only packs in the future. However, any such expansion would depend on demand and the operator’s subsequent plans.