DoT to release dedicated landline number series soon
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, to put a check on unsolicited calls and SMS, had asked the DoT to allocate an easily identifiable number series for telemarketing companies. While a series beginning with '140' was allocated to mobile services, a separate identifiable number series for landline numbers has not been allocated yet.
The DoT had pointed out various technical, billing and security concerns in issuing a number series for landline services. A call from a landline number can be identified based on the STD code. In case an identifiable series of '140' is used, it will impact the numbering system being used at present for allocating new connections. Adding a 3-digit series to landline numbers will take the total digits to 13 and to transmit such numbers on telecom networks. Also, it will be difficult for security agencies to track the calls, as it will display a uniform code instead of a STD code for connections across the country.
TRAI has recommended a maximum fine of Rs. 2.5 lakh on telemarketing companies for making unsolicited calls or SMS to a consumer registered under the national customer preference register - a modified version of TRAI's Do Not Call Registry list. The subscriber may choose to be under the 'Fully Blocked' category, which is akin to the 'Do Not Call Registry'. The user can also choose the 'Partially Blocked' category, in which case he will receive SMS in the categories chosen by him.
The telecom regulator had identified seven categories - banking and financial products, real estate, education, health, consumer goods, automobiles, communication and entertainment, tourism and leisure. In case of violations, as per the revised guidelines, the telemarketers will have to pay a fine of Rs 25,000 for the first offence, which will go up to Rs 75,000 in the case of a second violation, Rs 80,000 for the third, Rs 1.25 lakh for the fourth, Rs 1.50 lakh for the fifth and Rs 2.5 lakh for the sixth offence, following which the number will be blocked by all service providers.
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