India’s telecom regulator has directed service providers to make compulsory prepaid recharge options easier to find. An order dated October 1 requires a clearly visible section called TRAI-Mandated Packs to appear as the first tab in the prepaid recharge area of operators’ websites and mobile applications. These vouchers must also be prominently displayed at their exclusive sales outlets.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India said consumers had complained about poor visibility and difficulty locating suitable plans. Its own examination found that some mandated vouchers were spread across categories or accessible only after navigating several screens. The Economic Times and PTI separately reported the new direction on October 1, including its requirement for operators to report compliance within 30 days.
The order brings existing consumer-choice obligations into clearer view. These include at least one plan voucher, special tariff voucher and combo voucher valid for 30 days, as well as options renewable on the same date each month. It also refers to voice-and-SMS-only vouchers, including specified shorter-validity choices and at least one longer-validity option under the applicable regulations.
The immediate change concerns presentation and access to mandated offers. It does not announce a single nationwide recharge price, establish that every operator has already redesigned its app, or replace all other validity periods. Customers will still need to compare the benefits, validity and price of the particular voucher they choose.