Airtel Launches Voice-Only Prepaid Plans Starting at ₹185 Under New TRAI Rules

Bharti Airtel has launched three voice-and-SMS-only prepaid plans priced at ₹185, ₹203 and ₹206, becoming the first telecom operator to introduce such plans under the latest Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) requirements.

The plans were introduced ahead of TRAI’s October 21, 2026, compliance deadline and are available through Airtel’s website and app.

Airtel Voice-Only Plans: Price and Validity

All three prepaid plans offer unlimited local, STD and roaming calls, along with 300 SMS. They also include free HelloTunes.

₹185 plan: Valid for 28 days.

₹203 plan: Valid for 30 days.

₹206 plan: Offers calendar-month validity.

The main difference between these plans is their validity period, allowing customers to select a recharge based on their requirements.

What Are the New TRAI Rules?

TRAI announced its updated framework in September 2026, giving telecom operators, including Airtel and Reliance Jio, 30 days to comply.

The rules require operators to offer special tariff vouchers exclusively for voice calls and SMS, without bundled mobile data. They also call for more flexible validity options, including shorter-duration packs, monthly renewal and at least one longer-validity option.

Who Will Benefit from These Plans?

The new recharges are particularly useful for feature phone users and customers who primarily use their phones for calls and text messages.

They may also suit people who rely on Wi-Fi for internet access or maintain a secondary SIM mainly for calls.

By separating voice and SMS benefits from mobile data, the plans give customers an option to avoid paying for data they rarely use.

With all three Airtel plans offering the same calling and SMS benefits, customers can choose between 28-day, 30-day and calendar-month validity according to their needs.