Add MobiGyaan as a preferred source on GoogleAirtel has introduced three new prepaid recharge plans in India that offer calling and messaging benefits without bundled mobile data. Priced at ₹185, ₹203, and ₹206, the plans include unlimited local, STD, and roaming calls, 300 SMS, and complimentary HelloTunes access.
The launch makes Airtel the first telecom service provider in India to introduce dedicated voice-and-SMS tariffs in response to recent guidelines issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
Airtel Voice-and-SMS-Only Prepaid Plans: Price and Validity
The three plans are listed on Airtel’s website and mobile application. All include the same calling and SMS benefits, with different validity periods.
- ₹185 Plan: Unlimited local, STD, and roaming calls, 300 SMS, and HelloTunes access, with 28 days of validity.
- ₹203 Plan: Unlimited local, STD, and roaming calls, 300 SMS, and HelloTunes access, with 30 days of validity.
- ₹206 Plan: Unlimited local, STD, and roaming calls, 300 SMS, and HelloTunes access, with calendar-month validity.
None of the three plans includes mobile internet access. They are designed for subscribers who require voice calling and SMS services without a bundled mobile data allowance.
TRAI’s Voice-and-SMS-Only Plan Guidelines
The introduction of the plans comes ahead of TRAI’s October 21 compliance deadline under the Telecom Consumers Protection Regulations. The regulator directed telecom operators to offer dedicated voice-and-SMS special tariff vouchers corresponding to their existing bundled offerings, with appropriate price reductions for consumers who do not require data.
The plans cater to feature phone users, secondary SIM holders, and subscribers who primarily rely on Wi-Fi for internet access. Under conventional prepaid tariffs, these subscribers may pay for bundled mobile data that they do not need.
Other major telecom operators, including Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea, and BSNL, are also expected to comply with the mandate by introducing equivalent options.