Your 4G and 5G plans might soon come with different price tags. India’s telecom regulator has proposed new draft rules to govern 5G network slicing — and for the first time, they officially pave the way for operators to charge different rates depending on which network technology you’re using.
Table of Contents
What Is Network Slicing, and Why Does It Matter?
Network slicing lets telecom operators carve a single 5G network into multiple virtual “slices,” each tailored to different needs — think ultra-low latency for gaming versus high bandwidth for streaming. Bharti Airtel has already rolled out the technology, while Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea have pushed back, arguing it risks discriminating against subscribers who don’t opt for premium slices.
TRAI’s Draft QoS Amendments
| Detail | What’s Proposed |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) |
| Applies To | 2024 QoS Regulations for wireline/wireless access & broadband |
| Key Change | Operators can charge different rates for 4G vs 5G |
| Spectrum Cap | Resource block usage capped at 80% during slicing |
| Advance Notice | 21 days before launching a new 5G slice |
| Comments Due | August 26, 2026 (counter-comments by Sept 7, 2026) |
The Core Proposal
Under the draft, telecom companies would need to prove they have sufficient spectrum capacity before launching any new slice, and must formally notify TRAI with detailed slice parameters at least 21 days in advance. To prevent congestion from degrading service for other users, operators must keep resource block utilization below 80% — and if that threshold is breached for five or more days in a month, they’ll be required to expand capacity.
Each 5G slice offered will be treated as its own distinct tariff plan, with its own measurable download and upload speed commitments. If actual speeds fall short — specifically, if 80% of tested speeds dip below the advertised rate — the plan would be considered non-compliant, triggering mandatory customer notifications and corrective action.
This marks a notable shift for India’s telecom sector, where 4G and 5G have so far been priced identically despite the technology gap. TRAI has invited public comments on the draft through August 26, 2026.
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FAQs
Will 5G plans definitely cost more than 4G under these rules?
Not automatically — the draft simply allows operators to charge different rates; actual pricing decisions rest with telecom companies.
When will these rules take effect?
They’re still in the draft consultation stage, with public comments open until August 26, 2026, before any final notification.
