Trai warns mobile firms against unsolicited SMS & Pesky Calls

[M.J.Sadiq]

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has warned Aircel, Reliance Communications (RCom) and Tata Teleservices against allowing telemarketers to send unwanted messages over their networks, writes The Hindu. The three mobile companies have been told by Trai to take immediate measures to stop the practice or face action. According to a source in Trai, the most consumer complaints were against telemarketers who were found to be using bulk SMS bought from these three operators. The source added that the three operators were selling bulk SMS to unregistered telemarketers at very low prices, which allowed them to spam consumers with unsolicited messages.

Trai warns mobile firms against unsolicited SMS - Telecompaper

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[M.J.Sadiq]

Updated news on Pesky calls...


Trai on Monday said it had warned three telecom companies, whose networks are used to send unsolicited text messages and make pesky calls, to tighten their sales practices or face action. "There are three operators who are responsible for these messages. We all know them and I will not name them. I have spoken to the CEOs of the three companies and asked them to keep a check or we will take action," Trai chairman Rahul Khullar.


The regulator's review has shown that these companies have been handing out SIM cards to tele-marketers , who were avoiding registration, and send out bulk messages. Last month, the regulator issued fresh guidelines to curb the menace, which includes immediate termination of service and a ban on any telephone connection for two years. "There was an incentive to stay out and that has stopped ," Khullar said.

He also said operators will have to maintian records related to subscription of valueadded services from July 10. "As on July 10, the new regime will come in to force and in that regime we will have mechanism to verify if value-added services were wrongly activated . The existing regime already allows easy exit but what it does not allow is re-confirmation of entry... it will be now technicaly possible," Khullar said. He added regulator wanted to ensure the technical solution is put in place so that it can independently audit facts related to activation of VAS.


Trai warns 3 telecom companies on pesky calls - The Times of India


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