The Telecom Regulatory Authority of india (TRAI) has made major changes to the Telecom Commercial Communications customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR) to address the rising threat of spam calls and texts. These adjustments are intended to help customers while holding telemarketers and telecom providers responsible for infractions.
 
To ensure compliance with the new legislation, telecom providers will now need to put in place reliable systems to track and analyze communication trends. Telemarketers will also need to match their operations with TRAI's standards due to the mandated usage of certain number series and headers.

Key Amendments

1. Complaint Logging Ease: customers may now use the Do Not Disturb (DND) app to easily file complaints regarding spam calls or texts. Within seven days after receiving the spam message, complaints can be filed.
 
2. Action Against Spammers: After receiving a complaint, telecom companies have five days to take action against unregistered senders. Stricter sanctions, such as the suspension of all telecom resources, would be applied to repeat violators.
 
3. obligatory Opt-Out Option: To enable customers to withdraw from unsolicited communications, promotional messages must now contain an obligatory opt-out option.
 
4. Limitations on Telemarketing Numbers: It is now illegal to utilize 10-digit numbers for telemarketing. Transactional and service-related calls must use the 1600 series, whereas promotional calls are limited to the 140 series.
 
5. Standardized Message Headers: TRAI has introduced specific headers for different types of messages to ensure clarity:

Promotional: "-P"

Service: "-S"

Transactional: "-T"

Government: "-G"

6. Disclosure of Robocalls: Telemarketers are now required to disclose the use of Robocalls and ensure transparency in communication.

7. Penalties for Violations: Telecom operators will face fines for misreporting spam calls:

₹2 lakh for the first instance

₹5 lakh for the second instance

₹10 lakh per instance for subsequent violations

8. Pattern Analysis to Flag Spammers: In order to detect possible spammers, telcos must examine call and SMS trends. Suspicious activity will be flagged using indicators including low incoming-to-outgoing call ratios, short conversation durations, and high call volumes.
 
The changes made to TRAI are intended to improve the effectiveness and customer-focused nature of the anti-spam procedure. It is anticipated that the implementation of more stringent monitoring procedures and sanctions for infractions will discourage spammers and telemarketers from committing unethical acts.
 



 
For more interesting updates wa click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel

Find out more:

TRAI

SIBY JEYYA

13/02/2025 10:14 AM