Warning for phone users! Spam calls will now be banned for 2 years, rules will come into effect from September 1

In a decisive move to tackle the problem of spam calls, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has announced strict action against companies misusing bulk connections. With immediate effect, telecom operators – Reliance Jio, Airtel, Vodafone-Idea and BSNL – will have to disconnect services of any company making spam calls through PRI or SIP connections.

The ban will be imposed for two years

Companies doing so will be blacklisted or banned by all operators for up to two years. TRAI has stressed the urgent need to deal with the problem of spam calls, which has become a constant nuisance for consumers. The regulator held a meeting with telecom service providers (TSPs) to discuss the matter and finalise these strict measures.

What did TRAI say in its warning message?

“This information will be shared by the TSP with all other TSPs, who in turn will disconnect all telecom resources allocated to that entity and blacklist it for a period of up to two years. No new telecom resources will be allocated to it by any TSP during the period of blacklisting,” TRAI said in a release.

Apart from cracking down on spam calls, TRAI has mandated that all messages containing unverified URLs or APKs will be blocked from September 1, 2024. Telecom operators have also been given a deadline till October 31, 2024 to implement systems that ensure traceability of message flows.

TRAI said- there is an urgent need for strict action

TRAI's release said, “The technical implementation of entity and telemarketer chain binding to ensure traceability of message flow shall be completed by TSPs by October 31, 2024.” TRAI also underlined that there is an urgent need to take strict action against spammers using PRI/SIP connections for voice calls/robo calls/pre-recorded calls without any delay. TRAI said, “All telecom service providers pledged to fully cooperate with TRAI in curbing the problem of spam calls and implement all its directions within the time frame.”

Spam calls that scam people will not be tolerated

TRAI has made it clear that it will not tolerate spam calls and is committed to taking strict action against those responsible. Telecom operators have been directed to fully cooperate with TRAI in implementing these measures. This latest development is part of TRAI's ongoing efforts to protect consumers from unwanted and harassing calls.