DoT Cracks Down on Spam Calls, Suspends 1.75 Lakh Landline Numbers

A surge in spam calls from prefixes like 0731, 079, and 080 has been traced to misuse of telecom resources such as PRIs, SIP trunks, Lease Lines, and IPLC connections. 

In a decisive move to curb the growing menace of spam and fraudulent calls, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has initiated a sweeping crackdown, disconnecting 1.75 lakh landline and Direct Inward Dialing (DID) numbers involved in unauthorized promotional and illegal activities. This major action is part of an intensified DoT spam call crackdown that aims to restore trust in India’s telecom ecosystem.

The disconnections follow a sharp increase in spam calls originating from numbers with prefixes like 0731, 079, and 080, which were traced back to the misuse of telecom infrastructure including PRIs (Primary Rate Interfaces), SIP trunks, Lease Lines, and IPLC (International Private Leased Circuit) connections. These channels, meant for legitimate enterprise communication, were being exploited for mass unsolicited calling, posing serious risks to citizens and businesses alike.

DoT’s Anti-Spam Framework in Action

This operation underscores the government’s broader efforts under India DoT anti-spam measures, which are guided by the DoT telecom regulations designed to prevent telecom fraud, enhance consumer protection, and hold service providers accountable. The crackdown is also aligned with the Jan Bhagidari initiative, which encourages citizen participation in reporting suspicious and spam activities through the Sanchar Saathi platform, particularly via its Chakshu module.

Once a complaint is received through Chakshu, the DoT verifies the issue, identifies the violator, and initiates strict punitive measures—including immediate suspension of the number or telecom resource involved.

Responsibilities of Telecom Service Providers

In light of the ongoing telecom fraud crackdown, the DoT has directed Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to strengthen compliance and monitoring mechanisms. TSPs are now required to enforce stricter Know Your Customer (KYC) norms, closely audit high-volume traffic patterns, and proactively block suspicious communication before it reaches users.

The crackdown has sent a strong signal to miscreants exploiting telecom channels and to service providers that fail to uphold regulatory standards. The Spam calls ban in India is no longer just a policy promise—it’s now being actively enforced at scale.

The Department's commitment to protecting users from telecom-related threats continues to evolve with technology. Initiatives like Sanchar Saathi and Chakshu, backed by real-time citizen reporting, AI-based analytics, and inter-agency coordination, represent a dynamic response model that adapts quickly to emerging challenges. It assures the public that it will continue to take strong action against those misusing India's telecom infrastructure.

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