The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has taken a proactive step in the fight against spam calls by allocating a new 160 mobile phone series specifically for transactional and service voice calls made by entities regulated by key financial institutions. This move aims to safeguard citizens from falling victim to fraudsters and deceptive practices.
Collaboration with Financial Institutions
TRAI convened a meeting with representatives from prominent financial bodies such as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), and other regulatory bodies, along with all telecom service providers (TSPs).
Purpose of the Allocation
The allocation of the 160 mobile phone series is intended to facilitate easy identification of the calling entity, thereby enhancing transparency and trust in communication channels. This measure is particularly crucial in the financial sector, where trust and security are paramount.
Transition from 140 Series to DLT Platform
Currently, the 140 series is utilized for promotional activities, but it is in the process of being migrated to a distributed ledger technology (DLT) platform. Additionally, the digital consent scrubbing process is being operationalized, further fortifying the regulatory framework against spam calls.
Impact on Spam Control
The implementation of these measures is expected to exert significant control over spam calls originating from 10-digit numbers. By migrating promotional activities to the DLT platform and enhancing digital consent scrubbing, TRAI aims to substantially reduce the incidence of spam calls that plague consumers.
Collaborative Efforts for Menace Mitigation
During the meeting, regulators, banks, and financial institutions emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in combating the menace of spam calls, particularly through voice communication channels. They pledged their full cooperation in implementing TRAI’s initiatives in a timely manner, underscoring their commitment to consumer protection and privacy.
