The new Vodafone Idea prepaid packs offer unlimited calling and 300 SMS without mobile data, giving subscribers cheaper options to maintain their connections under TRAI’s revised voice-and-SMS tariff rules.
Vodafone Idea (Vi) has introduced three new prepaid recharge plans priced at Rs 142, Rs 156 and Rs 158. The new voice-only packs offer unlimited voice calling and 300 SMS, without any bundled mobile data.
The plans come with different validity periods of 28 days, 30 days and one calendar month. They are aimed at subscribers who primarily use their mobile connections for calling and messaging and do not want to pay for mobile data they rarely use.
The introduction follows the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) revised tariff rules requiring telecom operators to offer separate voice-and-SMS-only recharge options across specified validity periods.
Vi Rs 142, Rs 156 and Rs 158 plans: Price and benefits
All three new Vodafone Idea recharges offer unlimited voice calling and 300 SMS. The main difference is their validity.
| Vi recharge plan | Validity | Voice calling | SMS | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rs 142 | 28 days | Unlimited | 300 | No data |
| Rs 156 | 30 days | Unlimited | 300 | No data |
| Rs 158 | 1 calendar month | Unlimited | 300 | No data |
The Rs 142 recharge is the cheapest option among the three, offering 28 days of service validity. The Rs 156 plan extends the validity to 30 days, while the Rs 158 recharge provides one calendar month’s validity.
The 300 SMS benefit is the total allowance for the validity period, not 300 SMS per day.
These plans are different from regular prepaid bundles because they do not include mobile internet data. Subscribers who need internet access will have to use Wi-Fi or purchase a separate data pack, subject to the applicable recharge conditions.
Why has Vi introduced these voice-only recharge plans?
The new plans follow TRAI’s Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026.
The regulator introduced the amendment to provide more affordable options for customers who need voice calling and SMS but do not require bundled mobile data.
Many prepaid subscribers, including feature-phone users, senior citizens and people maintaining a secondary SIM, may not use mobile internet regularly. However, they still need to recharge their numbers to maintain service validity and continue receiving telecom services.
Under the revised framework, operators must offer separate Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs) for voice and SMS corresponding to validity periods of 30 days or less that they offer through regular bundled plans. They must also provide a monthly renewable option and at least one longer-validity voice-and-SMS voucher.
TRAI has not fixed the prices of these plans. Operators have flexibility in setting tariffs, subject to the applicable regulatory requirements.
Will Jio and Airtel also offer similar voice-only plans?
Yes. The TRAI amendment applies to telecom operators, including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea.
Jio has already introduced separate voice-and-SMS-only recharge options, including plans priced at Rs 147, Rs 177, Rs 196 and Rs 197. These offer different validity periods without bundled mobile data.
Airtel has also introduced voice-only recharge options to meet the revised requirements.
However, TRAI has not directed all operators to offer identical recharge prices. The requirement concerns the availability of voice-and-SMS-only vouchers for the prescribed validity categories, rather than matching the prices introduced by competitors.
This gives subscribers more choices when comparing operators based on recharge cost, validity and SMS benefits.
Will the new Vi plans affect the company’s ARPU?
The introduction of lower-priced voice-only plans could create some pressure on Vodafone Idea’s average revenue per user (ARPU), particularly if existing customers shift from higher-priced bundled recharges to cheaper voice-and-SMS-only options.
However, the actual impact will depend on customer adoption and recharge behaviour. It would be premature to conclude that the new plans will definitely reduce Vi’s ARPU.
For example, a subscriber who previously purchased a bundled plan primarily to maintain SIM validity may now choose a cheaper voice-only option. On the other hand, customers who regularly use mobile data are unlikely to find these plans suitable.
The new options could also help operators retain subscribers who might otherwise reduce recharge frequency or discontinue secondary connections.
Who should consider Vi’s Rs 142, Rs 156 and Rs 158 plans?
These plans are mainly suitable for customers who need calling and SMS services without paying for bundled internet data.
They could be useful for:
- Feature-phone users: Customers who primarily use their phones for voice calls and text messages.
- Secondary SIM users: Subscribers who want to maintain another mobile number at a lower recharge cost.
- Wi-Fi users: People who access the internet mainly through home or office Wi-Fi.
- Senior citizens: Customers who need basic calling services but do not regularly use mobile data.
- Low-data users: Subscribers who rarely consume mobile internet and prefer a separate voice-only recharge.
Before choosing a plan, customers should compare the total cost and validity rather than looking only at the recharge price.
How to check the new Vi voice-only plans
Customers can check whether the Rs 142, Rs 156 and Rs 158 recharge options are available for their mobile number through the Vi app or the operator’s official website.
The available plans and prices may vary by telecom circle and subscriber number. It is therefore advisable to verify the benefits, validity and applicable conditions before completing a recharge.
Vi’s new voice-only options give customers more flexibility to maintain their mobile connections without purchasing bundled data. The broader impact will depend on how many subscribers choose these lower-cost plans and how operators balance affordability with their revenue requirements.
