Add MobiGyaan as a preferred source on GoogleVodafone Idea (Vi) has introduced dedicated Voice-Only prepaid plans in India, adding standalone calling and SMS recharge options to its national tariff catalogue. The move follows similar offerings from Airtel and Jio and comes in compliance with directives issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
Vi introduces voice-only recharge plans starting at ₹179
₹179ⓘ
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The new recharge options are designed for subscribers who primarily depend on voice calling and SMS services rather than mobile data. These plans could be particularly relevant for feature phone owners, secondary SIM connections, and customers who do not require a daily data allowance with their regular recharge.
Vi Voice-Only Prepaid Plans: Price, Validity & Benefits
Vi’s new Voice-Only portfolio includes six prepaid recharge options, starting at ₹179 and going up to ₹1,849. All six plans offer unlimited domestic voice calling, with SMS benefits varying according to the recharge validity.
Here is a breakdown of the available plans:
| Plan Price | Validity | Voice Benefits | SMS Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹179 | 25 Days | Unlimited domestic calls | 300 SMS |
| ₹185 | 28 Days | Unlimited domestic calls | 300 SMS |
| ₹203 | 30 Days | Unlimited domestic calls | 300 SMS |
| ₹206 | 1 Calendar Month | Unlimited domestic calls | 300 SMS |
| ₹470 | 84 Days | Unlimited domestic calls | 900 SMS |
| ₹1,849 | 365 Days | Unlimited domestic calls | 3,600 SMS |
The ₹179 recharge offers 25 days of validity, while the ₹185 option extends the validity to 28 days. Vi also provides ₹203 and ₹206 options, offering 30 days and one calendar month of validity, respectively.
For longer recharge cycles, the ₹470 plan provides 84 days of service with 900 SMS, while the ₹1,849 annual plan offers 365 days of validity and 3,600 SMS.
Additional Tariffs & Services
Although these plans do not include bundled daily data allowances, subscribers can still access mobile data at standard out-of-plan rates of 50 paise per MB. The ₹179 plan also includes access to the Vi Movies & TV app.
Beyond the bundled SMS allowance, standard charges apply at ₹1 for local SMS and ₹1.5 for STD SMS. The applicable standard tariffs also apply to additional services outside the included benefits.
TRAI’s Voice-Only Recharge Plan Directive
The introduction of standalone voice and SMS packs follows TRAI’s directive asking telecom operators to separate voice calling and SMS benefits from compulsory mobile data allocations.
Earlier, subscribers often had to recharge with bundled plans that included daily data allowances, even when their primary requirement was calling and messaging. This could result in additional expenses for feature phone users, secondary SIM holders, and customers with limited mobile data requirements.
The regulatory initiative aims to make prepaid recharges more flexible by providing dedicated options across short-term, monthly, calendar-month, quarterly, and annual validity periods.
With Vi’s latest additions, subscribers now have more choices when selecting a recharge based on their calling and SMS requirements without paying for a bundled daily data allowance.
