Introduction of Voice-only plans by Airtel, Jio and Vi sparks outrage among users in India

Private telecom services providers like Airtel, Jio and VI have landed in soup after following the directive of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to introduce affordable voice-only plans. As the trio (Airtel, Jio and VI) introduced voice-only prepaid plans, an outrage took place among the users and several complained about the non-inclusion of data benefit in the plans.

Airtel introduced Rs 469 and Rs 1849 voice only prepaid plans. The Airtel 1849 Prepaid Plan offers unlimited voice calls and 3600 SMS messages. The plan is valid with 365 days. On the other hand, the Airtel 469 Prepaid Plan offers unlimited voice calls and 900 SMS messages. The plan is valid with 84 days. Airtel axed its Rs 509 and Rs 1999 plans (which came with data benefits).

Similarly, Vodafone Idea Rs 1460 prepaid plan offers unlimited voice calling along with 100 SMS. The validity of the plan is 270 days. On the other hand, Jio has unveiled two voice-only prepaid plans- Rs 458 plan and Rs 1958 plan. The Rs 458 plan offers 84 days validity while Rs 1958 plan offers 365 days validity. Both plans offer unlimited voice calls along with SMS benefits.

Post the launch of the above mentioned plans, the netizens seemed angry over the telecom service providers’ decision to repack the old plans with lesser benefits. The launch of voice only plans for users without giving any data benefit seems that the private telcos have found loophole in the TRAI directive.

We have mentioned some resentful tweets below.

Jio is fooling us big time! TRAI ordered telecom companies to introduce voice-only plans, and here’s what Jio did:

Earlier, they had a ₹479 plan with unlimited voice + 6 GB data. Now, they’ve removed that plan and launched a new ‘voice-only’ plan for ₹458. But wait—if you add… pic.twitter.com/wN4r1yER9O

— Nalini Unagar (@NalinisKitchen) January 23, 2025

After an order from TRAI Indian telecs, including Jio, Airtel, and Vi, were required to introduce new SMS and voice-only plans. TRAI mandated these plans in response to the tariff hikes implemented by the operators, which made it more expensive for users to keep their SIMs active pic.twitter.com/7esclmWQ5u

— Tech Informer (@Tech_Informer_) January 24, 2025

Dear @TRAI, you wanted to help consumers.. you ordered and instructed them.. but they fooled you, they fooled us.. that’s it!
They removed Data from value packs and declared it as so called calling plan.. now we have to pay more than earlier congrats!#Jio #Airtel #Recharge #TRAI pic.twitter.com/mNfEf1u9Zj

— Anand Bhushan (@anand_bhsn) January 23, 2025

.@TRAI asked mobile companies to provide users with Voice-only plans.

They removed data benefits from Basic plans. Now you have a voice-only plan. 🤣

Gajab Topibaaz bhare hain desh me. 🤡

#Airtel #Jio #TRAI pic.twitter.com/er0mY1LSUk

— Ankit K Sekwal (@AnkitKSekwal) January 23, 2025

Look at the #Airtel only call plans.😡#TRAI ordered the telecom companies to launch affordable 2G calling plans.
Rs 489- 6gb data validity – 84 days
Rs 499 – only call validity – 84 days
This is a slap on #TRAI as well as customers.😡Shame on you #Airtel @TRAI @airtelindia pic.twitter.com/q163khHrrq

— Krishna Chandra Ghosh (@ChandraGho5640) January 23, 2025