look news india
New Delhi: Important regulatory changes to be made by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) from December 1 are expected to impact how major telecom operators like Jio, Airtel, Vi and BSNL will allow commercial messages and one-time. Manage Password (OTP)? These new measures, aimed at increasing the traceability of messages, are part of TRAI’s broader initiative to protect consumers from scams and online fraud.
What is TRAI’s new instruction?
According to the traceability guidelines initially announced in August, telecom providers will have to trace the origin of all commercial messages, including OTPs. The move is important to curb the rising incidents of cyber fraud, where fraudsters misuse fake OTPs to share sensitive information with users or unwittingly grant access to their devices.
The financial consequences of these scams have been severe, forcing TRAI to take decisive action.
Telecom companies were earlier given a deadline of October 31 to implement the measures, but they asked for more time to ensure compliance. TRAI extended the deadline to November 31, giving operators an additional week to adapt their systems.
After the implementation of these rules, users may face delays in receiving OTP, especially during banking transactions, online booking or other activities requiring secure verification. TRAI believes that these short-term inconveniences are necessary to create a more secure digital ecosystem in the long term.
5G rollout will get a boost with new rules in 2025
Looking ahead to January 1, 2025, a different set of rules will further shape the telecom landscape. The government has introduced changes under the Telecommunications Act, which are focused on accelerating the development of 5G infrastructure across the country. These updates include the introduction of standardized right of way (RoW) guidelines, which will simplify the process of setting up telecom infrastructure.
Currently, differing RoW rules across states lead to inconsistent fees and delays. The new rules aim to create a uniform framework, reduce costs and speed up implementation. The move is expected to significantly increase India’s digital connectivity and ensure faster rollout of 5G services, benefiting both consumers and businesses.