TRAI put off Indefinitely New Rules Governing Telemarketing Calls

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) put off indefinitely the new rules governing unwanted telemarketing calls that were supposed to be implemented from 21 March 2011 onwards. The rules can no longer be implemented from the set date because the Department of Telecom is yet to allocate the new numbering series for telemarketers using fixed line phone.

TRAI had earlier declared that telemarketers will be given a specific number series so that telephone users can decide whether to pick the call or not by looking at the number. DoT has allocated the number series starting with 140 for telemarketers using mobile phones. However it is yet to give a number series for fixed line telephone.

DoT has not allocated the numbering resources for telemarketers from fixed line network. The new numbering series will be required to be implemented by all access providers before allocation of resources to telemarketer. Time will be required by access providers to change the configuration in their system and test the new series. No time frame is however available with TRAI regarding allocation of number resources by DoT.

TRAI notified that the exact date of implementation would be notified once number resources for telemarketing from fixed line network are allocated by DoT.