The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has levied additional fines on telecom operators for failing to curb spam calls on their networks. As part of the Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR), TRAI has intensified its crackdown on spam and fraudulent communications, holding telcos accountable for their inability to control such activities.
This time, TRAI has imposed a cumulative penalty of Rs 12 crore on Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea (Vi), and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). Previously, penalties amounting to Rs 141 crore had been imposed for similar lapses, as reported earlier.
The telecom operators, however, contest the penalties, arguing that spam calls are generated and propagated by external parties, making it unfair to hold them solely responsible. Despite implementing measures such as AI-powered features to alert customers about spam communications—already rolled out by Bharti Airtel and BSNL—operators believe their efforts are being overlooked.
Since the telcos have not yet paid the penalties, TRAI has requested the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to encash the operators’ bank guarantees (BGs) to recover the amount. The DoT is still deliberating on the matter.
Telecom companies remain dissatisfied, highlighting the lack of shared accountability for spam calls and questioning the fairness of being solely penalized by the regulator despite their proactive measures and investments to address the issue.
