Telecom users may get 30-day recharge plans, govt nudges operators for change

New Delhi, : In a move that could bring relief to millions of mobile users across India, the Centre has indicated a shift towards introducing 30-day recharge plans instead of the existing 28-day validity cycle. The proposal gained traction after Raghav Chadha raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha, highlighting the financial burden on consumers.

Currently, most telecom operators in India offer recharge plans with a validity of 28 days. This effectively forces users to recharge 13 times in a year instead of 12, leading to additional expenses. Raising this concern, Raghav Chadha urged the government to mandate a standard 30-day validity, aligning recharge cycles with calendar months.

Responding to the concern, Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia acknowledged the issue and assured that the government is actively considering reforms. He has reportedly advised telecom service providers to introduce 30-day recharge options for consumers.

Speaking on the matter, Scindia emphasized that while 28-day plans need not be completely removed, customers should be given the flexibility to choose 30-day validity plans as well. “Consumers must have the option to select plans that suit their usage patterns and financial convenience,” he said.

The push for 30-day recharge plans is not entirely new. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had, in 2022, recommended that telecom operators offer plans with a one-month validity. While some companies introduced such plans, they were often priced higher than regular 28-day packs, limiting their adoption among users.

Apart from validity concerns, Chadha also raised another key issue in Parliament regarding unused mobile data. He pointed out that many users are unable to fully utilize their daily data limits, and the unused portion does not carry forward to the next day. He suggested that telecom operators should consider introducing a data rollover feature, allowing users to maximize the value of their plans.

The government’s latest push is expected to increase competition among telecom operators and potentially lead to more consumer-friendly pricing and plan structures. Industry experts believe that if implemented effectively, the move could significantly enhance transparency and fairness in the telecom sector.

For now, users can expect telecom companies to gradually roll out 30-day recharge options, offering greater flexibility and aligning billing cycles more closely with monthly budgets.