By: Aazeem Hamida Khaan
Are you tired of pesky spam calls? No need to worry about more, because, The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has introduced stricter rules to tackle unsolicited commercial communications (UCC). These changes, announced on 12 February 2025, aim to protect consumers while ensuring legitimate marketing activities continue smoothly.
The updated regulations are part of the amended Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR), 2018. They come as a response to the growing misuse of telecom channels by unregistered telemarketers. TRAI initiated a consultation process on 28 August 2024 to gather industry feedback, and the new rules focus on closing regulatory gaps, improving transparency, and holding senders and service providers accountable.
No More 10-Digit Numbers for Telemarketing
To make telemarketing more transparent, TRAI has banned the use of standard 10-digit mobile numbers for commercial communication. Instead, telemarketers must use designated number series. Promotional calls will continue to use the ‘140’ series, while transactional and service-related calls will now use the newly introduced ‘1600’ series. This change will help consumers easily identify the nature of incoming calls.
Easier Reporting, Faster Action
Consumers can now report spam calls and messages without having to pre-register their communication preferences. TRAI has simplified the complaint process, ensuring that any report with essential details will be considered valid.
The time window for reporting spam has been extended from three days to seven days. Telecom operators are now required to act on complaints within five days, a significant improvement from the previous 30-day limit. Additionally, the threshold for penalising senders has been lowered. Earlier, 10 complaints in seven days were needed to take action, but now just five complaints within 10 days will trigger penalties.
To make reporting even easier, telecom providers must prominently display complaint registration options on their mobile apps and websites.
Stronger Penalties for Repeat Offenders
TRAI has introduced harsher penalties for those who repeatedly violate the rules. First-time offenders will face a 15-day suspension of outgoing telecom services. Repeat offenders will have all their telecom resources, including PRI/SIP trunks, disconnected across all service providers for a year, along with blacklisting.
Telecom operators failing to enforce these regulations will also face financial penalties. Fines start at Rs 2 lakh for the first violation, Rs 5 lakh for the second, and Rs 10 lakh for each subsequent offence.
Additionally, telecom providers must now enter legally binding agreements with registered senders and telemarketers, clearly outlining their responsibilities and the consequences of non-compliance.
Empowering Consumers with More Control
TRAI has made it easier for consumers to block unwanted marketing content. Telecom operators are now required to include a mandatory ‘opt-out’ option in promotional messages.
To help users identify the type of communication they are receiving, TRAI has standardised message headers. Promotional messages will be marked with ‘-P’, service messages with ‘-S’, transactional messages with ‘-T’, and government messages with ‘-G’. A separate category for government communications ensures that important messages are not missed.
Brands must also wait 90 days before seeking fresh consent from users who have opted out of marketing communications.
These changes are a significant step forward in protecting consumers from spam while ensuring that legitimate businesses can operate within a clear and fair framework. With easier reporting, stronger penalties, and greater consumer control, TRAI is making the telecom space cleaner and more transparent.
If you receive an unwanted call, remember, TRAI has your back! Take advantage of the new complaint mechanisms and enjoy a spam-free communication experience.
