Summary:
TRAI has tightened its anti-spam framework by introducing AI-based detection of suspected spam numbers and a consumer appeal mechanism. Telecom operators will share information on numbers linked to spam, with five or more flagged numbers from the same sender within 10 days triggering further action, including KYC checks, service suspension and possible disconnection. The revised rules also define and regulate A2P calls, requiring prior declaration and introducing a termination charge of up to 5 paise per minute, with exemptions. TRAI has additionally strengthened complaint-based enforcement and safeguards against misuse of headers, templates and call-management tools.
Telecom regulator TRAI has strengthened its regulations aimed at controlling Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC), adding AI-powered identification of potential spam and introducing a mechanism through which consumers can appeal.
Under the revised rules, telecom service providers will identify phone numbers that are highly likely to be involved in spam activity and exchange this information with other operators.
If five or more numbers linked to the same sender are flagged within a 10-day period, the sender will be subject to further scrutiny and a series of graded measures. These may include KYC re-verification, physical verification, suspension of outgoing services and, in cases of repeated violations, disconnection.
TRAI has also formally defined Application-to-Person (A2P) calls as calls generated through an application, software system or automated platform without a person directly dialling the number. This category includes autodialled calls, robocalls and calls using pre-recorded or artificially generated voices.
Organisations making A2P calls will be required to notify their telecom service provider in advance about their use of such calls and the numbers involved. Any A2P calls made without prior declaration will be classified as UCC. A termination charge of up to 5 paise per minute has also been introduced for A2P calls, subject to certain exemptions. TRAI said calls made through numbering ranges designated by the authority for regulated commercial communications, along with calls authorised by the authority, will not attract the termination charge.
The amended framework also places greater emphasis on complaint-based enforcement. TRAI has strengthened protections against the misuse of headers and content templates and has barred call-management applications from automatically blocking, filtering or marking as spam all calls originating from designated 140xx, 1600xx and 1601xx numbering series.
