Indian telecom regulator TRAI has allowed increase of validity for mobile Internet packs to 365 days, from the current up to 90 days.

The development – TRAI’s Telecom Consumers Protection (Tenth Amendment) Regulations (TCPR), 2016 — is expected to enhance usage of mobile data by small consumers and also attract first-time Internet users across the country.

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“Requests were received in TRAI seeking longer validity for data packs (that is Special Tariff Vouchers with only data benefits) primarily to address the concern of marginal consumers of wireless Internet who prefer lower denomination data packs with longer validity,” said TRAI in a statement issued on Friday.

At present, a telecom network operator can issue recharge voucher for Mobile Internet, which can be valid for a maximum 90 days. If a consumer fails to use mobile Internet data purchased through the voucher within the specified period, the unused data lapse.

TRAI said the present regulatory regime allows telecom service providers to offer data services in the form of Special Tariff Voucher (STV) either exclusively or in combination with other tariff items with a maximum permitted validity of 90 days.