The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has announced a series of robust actions to combat the rising menace of spam calls by unregistered telemarketers. As part of these efforts, telecom providers have disconnected 2.75 lakh telecom resources and blacklisted 50 companies involved in the misuse of telecom services for spamming.
“Access Providers have taken stern measures against misuse of telecom resources for spamming and blacklisted over 50 entities and disconnected more than 2.75 lakh SIP DID/Mobile Numbers/Telecom resources,” stated TRAI in its release on Tuesday, September 3. This significant crackdown comes in response to a surge in complaints from consumers across the country.
Rising Complaints Against Spam Calls
The issue of spam calls has been escalating rapidly, with TRAI receiving over 7.9 lakh complaints in just the first six months of 2024. “Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has observed a significant rise in spam calls, with more than 7.9 lakh complaints reported against Unregistered Telemarketers (UTMs) in the first half of the year 2024 (January to June),” the regulator reported.
In response to the growing number of grievances, TRAI issued strict guidelines to telecom access providers on 13th August 2024, demanding immediate action to curb the influx of promotional calls from unregistered marketers.
Strict Measures Imposed by TRAI
“Taking this issue seriously, TRAI issued stringent directives to all Access Providers on 13th August 2024. It has mandated Access Providers to immediately stop promotional voice calls from unregistered senders or telemarketers using SIP, PRI, or other telecom resources,” the statement continued.
TRAI further emphasized that non-compliance with these directives would result in severe penalties for offenders. “Any UTM found to be misusing these resources will face severe consequences, including disconnection of all telecom resources for up to two years and blacklisting,” TRAI warned.
This decisive action aims to significantly reduce the frequency of spam calls and provide much-needed relief to telecom users. TRAI has urged all stakeholders to strictly adhere to these guidelines and work together to ensure an efficient and effective telecom ecosystem.
Proposed Amendments to Anti-Spam Regulations
In its ongoing efforts to address the spam call problem, TRAI released a consultation paper on August 28th, proposing amendments to existing anti-spam rules. These proposed changes include the introduction of tariffs on phone calls and text messages sent from ten-digit mobile numbers exceeding a specific daily limit.
The suggested amendments are intended to further discourage spamming activities by adding financial disincentives for violators. The consultation paper is expected to be reviewed by industry stakeholders and will likely result in additional regulatory measures to combat unregistered telemarketing.
TRAI’s rigorous approach to tackling spam calls demonstrates its commitment to protecting consumer interests and ensuring a spam-free communication environment. The measures taken, including the blacklisting of companies and disconnection of telecom resources, highlight the seriousness of the issue and the regulator’s determination to enforce compliance.
As TRAI continues to introduce and enforce stringent anti-spam regulations, all stakeholders in the telecom sector must comply with these directives to maintain a smooth and efficient communication network.
If in case you face any spam calls/texts then register your complaint to https://www.trai.gov.in/
