Vodafone Idea to announce voice-only plans by October-end

SENSEX 74,144.13

+ 291.23

NIFTY 22,955.00

+ 66.05

CRUDEOIL 9,425.00

+ 114.00

GOLD 145,902.00

 -617.00

SILVER 209,128.00

 -2,357.00

SENSEX 74,144.13

+ 291.23

NIFTY 22,955.00

+ 66.05

NIFTY 22,955.00

+ 66.05

CRUDEOIL 9,425.00

+ 114.00

CRUDEOIL 9,425.00

+ 114.00

GOLD 145,902.00

 -617.00

'; } document.getElementById("lgdv").innerHTML = htmlElements; } function numberformat(i) { return Number(parseFloat(i).toFixed(2)).toLocaleString('en', { minimumFractionDigits: 2 }) } async function gatherResponse(response) { const { headers } = response; const contentType = headers.get('content-type') || ''; if (contentType.includes('application/json')) { return await response.json() } return response.text(); } function getWidth() { if (Math.max(document.body.scrollWidth,document.documentElement.scrollWidth,document.body.offsetWidth,document.documentElement.offsetWidth,document.documentElement.clientWidth) > 991) { document.getElementById("mob").style.display = "none"; document.getElementById("lgdv").style.display = "block"; } else { document.getElementById("mob").style.display = "block"; document.getElementById("lgdv").style.display = "none"; } } getWidth(); THIS AD SUPPORTS OUR JOURNALISM. SUBSCRIBE FOR MINIMAL ADS.THIS AD SUPPORTS OUR JOURNALISM. SUBSCRIBE FOR MINIMAL ADS.

Experts have stressed that the mandate is likely to benefit 2G users and feature phone users in India, in turn impacting ARPUs and revenues of companies like Vi and BSNL with a larger subscribership in this cohort

By Vallari Sanzgiri

Updated - October 21, 2026 at 11:39 AM.

Telecom service provider Vodafone Idea will launch its new voice-only plans by the end of October 2026, as per sources. The move is in line with the sector regulator’s call for a wider selection of voice-only options for low-income users. 

Earlier, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) asked all telcos to provide shorter-duration tariff plans of up to 30 days.

While the deadline was reported to be October 21, sources say companies have time until October 30 as the Gazette notification was updated on September 30. 

Experts have stressed that the mandate is likely to benefit 2G users and feature phone users in India, in turn impacting ARPUs and revenues of companies like Vi and BSNL with a larger subscribership in this cohort.

Specifically, 2G users account for 34 per cent of Vi’s subscriber base, while they make up about 85 per cent of BSNL’s total subscriber base.

Meanwhile, competitor Bharti Airtel has already announced three such plans in their offerings ranging from ₹185 and ₹206, while Reliance Jio is yet to make an announcement. The new offers are 7–16 per cent cheaper than its existing entry-level plans, as per Morgan Stanley. 

Currently, Jio offers an annual and quarterly plans of ₹1,748 and ₹448 respectively. Vodafone Idea offers ₹1,849 annually and ₹470 quarterly plans. Airtel offers ₹1,849 and ₹469 annual and quarterly plans. 

Published on October 21, 2026

THIS AD SUPPORTS OUR JOURNALISM. SUBSCRIBE FOR MINIMAL ADS. THIS AD SUPPORTS OUR JOURNALISM. SUBSCRIBE FOR MINIMAL ADS. THIS AD SUPPORTS OUR JOURNALISM. SUBSCRIBE FOR MINIMAL ADS. THIS AD SUPPORTS OUR JOURNALISM. SUBSCRIBE FOR MINIMAL ADS.Sign into Unlock benefits!

• Access 10 free stories per month
• Get notified by email for early preview to new features, discounts & offers