TRAI Proposes Differential Tariffs To Curb Excessive Spam Calls and SMS

In a move to curb pesky calls, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India proposed a higher tariff to be introduced for calls and short message services beyond a certain limit in a graded manner to industry stakeholders, according to a new discussion paper on measures to make norms around telemarketing communications more stringent.

In a discussion paper floated on 'Review of the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018', the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has floated the proposal that telecom subscribers making over 50 calls or sending out even 50 SMS a day, along with certain other markers, should be scrutinised as a potential pesky callers.

"To discourage usage of P2P (person-to-person) SMSs and Voice calls by UTMs (unregistered telemarketers), and strengthen the regulatory framework as enunciated in the TCCCPR-2018, a need has been felt to specify tariff for SMS and voice calls per SIM per day beyond a certain limit by persons other than an entity registered under the provisions of TCCCPR-2018," the paper said.

At present, mobile operators provide several plans with unlimited calls.

The regulator said that implementing differential tariffs could render commercial communication using 10-digit numbers impractical for unregistered telemarketers. It stated that despite enforcement measures, unsolicited calls from 10-digit mobile numbers persist in causing annoyance and distress to customers.

According to the data shared by telecom operators, average number of outgoing voice calls per day per SIM reveals that only 78,703, which is about 0.01% of total subscribers make more than 100 voice calls per day per SIM, while 99.87% of the subscribers make up to 50 outgoing voice calls per day per SIM.

The discussion paper - which marks the start of the thorough consultative process with the industry and the public - deals with 16 questions, including some on 'differential tariff'.

The regulator has sought feedback from stakeholders on the appropriate threshold for implementing differential tariffs for both voice calls and SMS. It also requested input on what these differential tariffs should be if such a system is introduced.

TRAI has also asked, 'Whether differential tariff should be introduced in a graded manner?' The regulator has fixed September 25 as the last date for comments on the paper and October 9 for counter comments.

(With Inputs From PTI)