Trai invites comments on regulations against spam commercial calls, texts

The regulator has also asked if telcos should have the power to fine registered entities that violate the regulations. Comments can be submitted until September 25 and counter comments until October 9.

On August 20, the TRAI had directed all access providers to migrate all telemarketing calls, starting with 140 series, to an online distributed ledger technology (like blockchain) platform by September 30.

It also said that from September 1, telcos will be prohibited from transmitting messages that contained URLS, APKs (Android Application Package), OTT (over-the-top) links or call back numbers which are not already whitelisted. This means that only vetted links (to websites or apps) will be allowed in official SMSs from regulated entities such as banks and insurance companies when they use SMS headers (such as VM-HDFCBK, JK-NSESMS, etc.) allotted to them by TRAI. These two directions, issued last week, were finalised in a meeting of the joint committee of regulators in June.