Pesky call makers to lose all telecom facilities: Trai

Toughening its stand against pesky messages and unwanted calls by unregistered telemarketers, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) said on Monday that those who were indulging such activities would lose all telecom resources allotted to them, including phone, internet and other connections.

Besides, individuals and organisations would be blacklisted and they would not get any fresh telecom service for two years from any telecom service providers.

Trai said the latest measures were part of the effort to curb unregistered telemarketers sending out pesky messages to subscribers or calling them by taking advantage of the loopholes in the existing rules.

According to rules now, telemarketers have to register with Trai to send promotional messages or calls to subscribers who have not opted for the Do-Not Call or the National Customer Preference Registry.

New guidelines allow subscribers to complain to the service provider within three days of receiving calls or SMSs from telemarketers despite signing up with the do not disturb registry.

Calling 1909, they can provide the number from which they have received the SMS or call or the header of the message along with a short description of the call/message and the date of receipt. 

If the messages are found to be true after investigating the same within seven days of receiving the complaint, the carrier will disconnect services to the number from which such messages and calls emanate.

Besides, the mobile number will be black listed and the same will be shared with all other telecom service providers. As a punishment, telecom services availed by the offending individual or organisation will be disconnected and they will not be given new connections for two years.

Trai has asked telecom operators to immediately start the process of disconnecting telecom resources of all entities that are sending unsolicited promotional messages or making unwanted calls.