The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has introduced stronger measures to tackle unwanted business communications, including the use of artificial intelligence to identify numbers suspected of spam activity. The revised framework also sets new rules for automated business calls and places additional responsibilities on telecom operators and businesses.
Under the updated system, telecom service providers will share information about numbers showing possible spam patterns. If several flagged numbers are found to be linked to the same sender, operators can carry out additional verification and take further action against the sender.
AI-Based System to Help Identify Spam Numbers
TRAI’s updated approach allows telecom operators to use AI-based systems to identify numbers that are highly likely to be involved in spam activities. Information about such numbers can then be shared with other telecom providers.
If five or more numbers associated with the same sender are identified within a 10-day period, operators can begin additional identity verification and conduct physical verification of the sender. Depending on the circumstances, further action may include restricting outgoing communications.
In cases where violations continue, telecom operators may ultimately terminate the sender’s services.
New Rules for Automated Business Calls
The revised framework also covers application-to-person (A2P) calls. These are calls generated through an application, digital platform or automated system without being manually initiated by an individual.
The category includes auto-dialled calls, robocalls, recorded messages and calls that use computer-generated or pre-recorded voices.
Businesses and organisations using A2P calling services will have to inform their telecom service provider about the use of such systems and provide details of the numbers used for these communications. Calls that are not properly declared can be treated as unwanted business communications under the new framework.
A2P Calls May Attract a Termination Charge
The revised rules introduce a termination charge of up to 5 paise per minute for A2P calls. However, calls made using numbering series specifically allocated for commercial communications, along with calls authorised by TRAI, will be exempt from this charge.
The framework also gives customers a way to appeal against certain actions taken under the anti-spam regulations. At the same time, TRAI has introduced additional safeguards aimed at preventing the misuse of commercial headers and content templates.
Restrictions on Call-Management Applications
Call-management applications will also have to follow specific restrictions when dealing with calls from certain numbering ranges.
Such applications will not be permitted to completely block, filter or label calls as spam when they originate from the 140xx, 1600xx or 1601xx numbering series. The changes are part of TRAI’s broader framework for managing unwanted commercial communications and automated calling systems.
Disclaimer
This article is intended solely for general information and awareness. Regulatory rules and telecom requirements may be amended from time to time. Readers should refer to the latest official TRAI notifications and applicable telecom service-provider guidelines for the most current information.