TRAI directs service providers to stop spam calls, blacklist callers

Srinagar, Aug 13: In a major step to curb the increasing number of spam calls, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has mandated all Access Service Providers to stop voice promotional calls whether pre-recorded or computer generated or otherwise from all Unregistered Senders or Telemarketers (UTMs) using SIP/PRI or other telecom resources under Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCPR-2018).

TRAI in this regard have issued directions to the Access Service Providers stating that all promotional voice calls from the unregistered Senders/Unregistered Telemarketer (UTMs) using Telecom Resources (SIP/PRI/other telecom resources) shall be stopped immediately; if any unregistered Sender/Unregistered Telemarketer (UTM) is found to be misusing its Telecom Resources (SIP/PRI/other telecom resources) for making commercial voice calls in violation of the regulations resulting into consumer complaints against any one or more number of resource indicators allocated to the Sender.

It also directed that all the telecom resources of such Sender shall be disconnected by the Originating Access Provider (OAP) for a period up to two years as per the provisions of the regulation 25 of the regulations.

Further such Sender shall be blacklisted by the OAP for a period up to two years as per the provisions of the regulations. Also information regarding blacklisting of the Sender shall be shared by the OAP with all other Access Providers on DLT platform, within 24 hours, who will, in turn, disconnect all the telecom resources given by them to that Sender within the next 24 hours.

It also said that no new telecom resources shall be allocated to such Sender by any Access Provider during the period of blacklisting as provided for in the regulations. All the unregistered Senders/ Unregistered Telemarketers (UTMs) using SIP/PRI/other telecom resources to make commercial voice calls to the citizen shall be migrated to the DLT platform within one month of the issue of this Direction and submit compliance report within seven days thereafter.

All Access Providers have been directed to comply with these directives and submit regular updates on the actions taken on the 1st and 16th of every month.

This direction issued by TRAI is expected to significantly reduce spam calls and provide relief to consumers.