Could this be the end of annoying spam calls? TRAI is gearing up to introduce some much tougher regulations in the coming weeks, and it sounds like a big step towards tackling the problem. Anil Kumar Lahoti, the TRAI Chairman, confirmed that new, stricter rules aimed at curbing spam are on their way. Plus, they’re about to kick off a fresh consultation process to set up a proper authorization framework for telemarketers – something that’s been sorely needed.
In other exciting news, TRAI is launching a pilot program this very month. The goal? To finally get all those old, paper-based customer permissions for commercial communications – you know, the ones giving businesses the green light to call or text you – onto their digital Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) platform. This initiative is a huge step towards streamlining how these permissions are validated. It’ll let consumers easily verify what they’ve signed up for and, crucially, give them a straightforward way to opt out if they change their mind.
And for those hoping TRAI might backtrack on the recent rule about separate special tariff vouchers (STVs) for voice calls and SMS? Think again. TRAI has firmly stated it won’t be reconsidering that regulation. Lahoti emphasized this point in an interview with PTI, saying, quite rightly, that while people can be encouraged to use data, they absolutely shouldn’t be forced into it. He really hammered home that TRAI’s main job is to safeguard the interests of both the industry and consumers, making sure people only pay for what they genuinely need.
On the tech front, TRAI is gearing up for a major revamp of its own IT systems. They’re convinced this overhaul will make it far easier and more efficient for telecom companies and other industry players to file their paperwork. Deloitte, who’s been consulting on this, is almost done with their report. Once that’s in, TRAI will pick a company to actually implement the changes, with the ambitious goal of getting it all done before the year is out.
And looking further ahead into 2025, TRAI has its sights set on recommendations for satellite communications spectrum – a truly crucial area, involving huge players like Jio and Airtel, not to mention Elon Musk’s Starlink. Lahoti was tight-lipped on specifics or timelines for these recommendations but did promise that all feedback would be given a fair hearing. Beyond satellite comms, TRAI’s 2025 plate is full with recommendations on network authorization, an entirely new broadcasting authorization framework, and even a revision of the national numbering plan for fixed-line phones.
Good news for anyone fed up with constant spam: the fight against unwanted calls and messages is continuing. TRAI is busy working on a separate ‘160-series’ number specifically for service or transactional calls (think banks or insurance companies). This will be totally distinct from the current ‘140-series,’ which they plan to reserve only for promotional calls. Sounds like a big step towards knowing who’s calling before you even pick up!
Lahoti also dropped a hint that TRAI aims to finalize its recommendations on millimeter-wave spectrum within roughly a month (we’re talking about frequencies like 37-37.5 GHz and 42.5-43.5 GHz here). Plus, expect a consultation paper on backhaul spectrum to land by March. The regulator is also putting a lot of effort into making digital consent acquisition better. The big hurdle, as Lahoti explained, is getting all those old, paper-based consents properly transferred onto the DLT platform. To tackle this, TRAI plans to team up with various stakeholders to devise a solution that ensures a smooth transfer and verification of past consents, all without disrupting anyone’s service. The whole idea, Lahoti clarified, is to make sure those old paper consents are accurately reflected on the DLT platform, giving consumers the power to opt out easily if they no longer want to hear from certain companies.
Starting in January, the pilot program will see TRAI collaborating with a few chosen service providers and principal entities to test this legacy consent migration process. Lahoti admitted that simply setting a firm cut-off date where paper consents would suddenly become invalid would be incredibly complex and take a lot of time to sort out.
Sticking with spam, TRAI is expected to roll out even stricter regulations to combat it in the coming month. A discussion paper from last August floated some ideas, including making calls and SMS messages more expensive if they go beyond a certain daily limit. The paper even suggested scrutinizing subscribers who make or send more than 50 calls or SMS messages daily, among other criteria, to pinpoint potential spammers. Sounds like a more targeted approach.
And on the recent reports that the Department of Telecom (DoT) was asking TRAI for clarification about telcos having their bank guarantees encashed due to anti-spam violation fines? Lahoti clarified that TRAI had already identified those specific license violations and had told DoT to take the necessary action, including dealing with any financial penalties.
Finally, regarding the industry’s pushback on those voice-only STVs, Lahoti firmly reiterated that TRAI has to strike a balance between the interests of consumers and the telecom companies. While they certainly encourage data usage, he stressed again that consumers absolutely cannot be forced to buy data. Telecom companies are free to promote data services, but ultimately, Lahoti emphasized, consumers must have the freedom to choose what truly fits their needs, without any compulsion.
