The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has stepped up its campaign against spam and robocalls by directing all telecom companies to report data on unregistered telemarketers based on consumer complaints from April to June.
Telemarketers are required to use the 140 series for calls, but most spam calls come from standard 10-digit numbers, making it difficult to identify the callers.
Telecom consumers receive thousands of robocalls daily from unregistered entities. TRAI has received numerous complaints and is determined to address this issue. TRAI officials stated that data collection from telecom firms will help identify the culprits and enable appropriate action.
Despite efforts from TRAI, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), and the Consumer Affairs Ministry, the goal of significantly reducing spam calls has not yet been achieved. Industry executives believe that the current deterrent measures are insufficient.
इतनी गर्मी में Unwanted ya Scam calls से ना बढ़ने दे अपना पारा
— DoT India (@DoT_India) June 27, 2024
फ़ोन से उठाएं Sanchar Saathi के सुविधाओं का सहारा#SpamNoMore #HangUponFraud pic.twitter.com/umQrblIxn5
What is TRAI’s New Directive to Telecom Firms?
TRAI’s new directive requires telecom firms to provide details of the top 25 complainant numbers and has identified several numbers known for spam. Issued on July 24, the directive aims to identify and take action against unregistered telemarketers involved in robocalls.
Unscrupulous agents often use a primary rate interface (PRI) service from telcos, giving them multiple connections for robocalls. Even when consumers block one number, others from the same PRI service continue to call. The DoT has limited individual connections to nine, but corporate users can obtain as many as needed, leading to misuse for spam calls.
What Measures Has TRAI Taken to Curb Spam Calls?
TRAI has highlighted various numbers, including those starting with 731 and 129, as reported spam. Telemarketers are prohibited from making robocalls using standard 10-digit numbers, yet unregistered entities continue this practice. TRAI has directed telecom firms to submit details of the top 25 sources of complaints within five days, though telecom firms have requested more time to compile the data.
This latest directive to telecom firms is a significant step towards addressing the issue of spam and robocalls. By identifying and taking action against unregistered telemarketers, TRAI aims to protect consumers from the persistent nuisance of spam calls.
