No more spam calls as TRAI bans 10-digit numbers for telemarketing

TRAI's new rules enforce stricter penalties, including a 15-day suspension for first-time violators, blacklisting for repeat offenders, and fines ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 10 lakh for telecom operators failing to comply

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has come up with a series of new regulations aimed at addressing the issue of spam calls and unsolicited commercial communications (UCC). Effective from February 12, this year, the amendments include TRAI's new telemarketing rule, which prohibits the use of 10-digit numbers for telemarketing. This step is designed to strengthen consumer protection and ensure more transparent marketing practices in the telecom industry.

The TRAI ban on telemarketing numbers is a direct response to the misuse of 10-digit mobile numbers by telemarketers to bypass regulatory oversight. This practice made it difficult for consumers to distinguish between genuine personal calls and spam. To counter this, TRAI has mandated that telemarketers use specific number series: the 140-series for promotional calls and the 1600-series for transactional and service-related calls. The goal is to improve transparency and reduce the occurrence of telemarketing scams and fraudulent calls.

In addition to the 10-digit number ban for telemarketers, TRAI has introduced several consumer-friendly initiatives to strengthen telemarketing scam prevention. One key change is the simplified spam reporting process, which now allows consumers to report unwanted calls and messages without pre-registering their preferences. The complaint window has been extended from three days to seven days, giving consumers more time to report violations. Telecom operators will also be required to act on complaints within five days, reducing the previous 30-day limit.

Stricter penalties and consumer control

TRAI's new rules also impose stricter penalties for violators. First-time offenders will face a 15-day suspension of outgoing telecom services, while repeat offenders could be blacklisted, with their telecom resources disconnected for up to a year. Telecom operators that fail to enforce these rules will be fined, starting at Rs 2 lakh and increasing to Rs 10 lakh for repeated violations.

To give consumers greater control over unwanted communications, all promotional messages will now include an opt-out option. The message headers will also be standardized to indicate whether the communication is promotional, transactional, service-related, or government-related. These measures are expected to enhance the effectiveness of TRAI's ban on telemarketing numbers, ensuring a more secure and consumer-friendly telecom environment.

With these significant telecom industry changes set to take effect in February 2025, TRAI is taking a firm stand against spam and unsolicited communications, aiming to make the telecom landscape more transparent and accountable while empowering consumers to better manage their communication preferences.