TRAI cracks down on telcos over spam calls and messages

TRAI has intensified its crackdown on pesky calls and messages with new rules that calls for fines ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 10 lakh for recurring and repeated instances of violation, and in cases where telcos misreport the count of such spams. The telecom regulator has mandated all telecom operators to analyze call and SMS patterns based on parameters such as unusually high call volumes, short call durations, and low incoming-to-outgoing call ratios to flag potential spammers in real-time.

TRAI action against telcos

The amendment in the regulation in Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations come with graded penalty. It will be imposed on telecom operators in case they fail to implement the provisions of the rule.

Also Read: TRAI orders telecom operators to blacklist entities using bulk connections for spam calls

For instance, according to the new TRAI telco spam regulations, a financial disincentive (FD) of Rs 2 lakh for the first violation, Rs 5 lakh for the second instance of violation and Rs 10 lakh per instance for subsequent violations will be imposed on access providers in case of misreporting of the count of UCC.

To enable an ease of reporting spam calls for consumers, the regulator has said that complaints can now be made directly through its DND mobile application within seven days of receiving the spam as compared to the earlier three-day time limit.

Moreover, the time limit within which telcos can take action against these complaints has been brought down from 30 days to five days.