TRAI cracks down on unauthorised telemarketers; directs telcos to stop misuse of headers, message templates

Telecom operators have been asked to ensure that temporary headers are deactivated immediately after the set time duration

Cracking down on unauthorised or pesky promotional messages by telemarketers, Telecom regulator TRAI on Thursday issued directions to telecom operators to scrub their database clean and block all unverified telemarketer accounts.

To stop such misuse and curb unwanted messages, TRAI asked telecom operators to re-verify all registered headers and message templates on their distributed ledger technology (DLT) platform within 30 days and block all unverified headers and message templates within 60 days.

Telecom operators have also been asked to ensure that temporary headers are deactivated immediately after the set time duration lapses.

Also Read | Rising cost of data a concern: MoS IT

In two separate directives, Trai said all promotional messages need to be sent through registered telemarketers using approved headers and message templates on their DLT platforms.

DLT platforms are digital systems for keeping and managing the record of sender IDs and templates. In India, they are run by mobile service companies such as Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, BSNL and Vodafone Idea.

To curb messages from unauthorised or unregistered telemarketers, including telemarketers using telephone numbers, telecom operators have been directed to "bar all telemarketers, who are not registered on DLT platform from handling the message template scrubbing and delivery of messages to recipients through Access Providers' network", a statement from the TRAI said.

Also Read | Will ‘ban’ on Chinese telecom gear slow 5G rollout in India?

Telcos will have to "ensure that promotional messages are not transmitted by Unregistered Telemarketers or Telemarketers using telephone numbers (10 digits numbers)."

Telecom operators have been instructed to take action against all erring telemarketers as per stipulated regulations and initiate actions as per relevant legal laws.

The regulator also asked all telecom service providers to comply with its directions within 30 days.

The move is expected to come as a relief to mobile users, annoyed by a deluge of unauthorised, pesky promotional messages.