TELECOM REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF INDIA TRAI
Banks in a bind over Trai mandate on digital consent
Banks are grappling with new regulations from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) requiring digital consent for commercial communication. This has prompted lenders to seek government clarity on whether consent is needed for sharing transaction details, as per Reserve Bank of India guidelines. The move aims to combat cyber fraud, with banks also requesting special prefixes for customer calls following last month's finance ministry directive.
Trai amendments to MNP to curb SIM swap, replacement frauds to take effect from July 1
The regulator had notified the amendment in March 2024, after consulting stakeholders. The amendment adds an additional criterion for rejecting generation of the Unique Porting Code (UPC) required to port a SIM card to a different telecom service provider. "These amendment regulations are aimed at curbing the porting of mobile numbers by way of fraudulent SIM swap/ replacement by unscrupulous elements," the regulator said Friday.
Banks in a GST fix over RBI's directive to levy penal charges
The Reserve Bank of India's directive to levy penalties only in the form of 'penal charges' is posing a tax dilemma for banks. Banks fear that the indirect tax on such levies would attract the goods and services tax (GST). The new rule, which came into force from April 1, 2024, was brought in by the central bank to ensure "reasonableness and transparency" in disclosure of penal interest. However, banks have asked the tax authorities to spell out their stand on the issue.
TRAI directs telcos to make spam complaints user friendly on app/web
The Indian telecom regulator, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), has directed service providers to make their mobile apps and web portals more user-friendly for complaint registration. The regulator has mandated that options for UCC complaint registration and preference management should be easily accessible on these platforms.
Some sections of Telecom Act to come into force from June 26
“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 1 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 (44 of 2023), the Central Government hereby appoints the 26th Day of June 2024, as the date on which the provisions of sections 1, 2, 10 to 30, 42 to 44, 46, 47, 50 to 58, 61 and 62 of the said Act shall come into force,” a gazette notification issued late Friday said. Officials told ET that the new Telecommunications Act and these sections have come into force.
TRAI calls upon MIB to establish credible measurement system for TV, radio, OTT
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended establishing a transparent audience measurement system for television, radio, and OTT services to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It suggests revamping the existing system, expanding sample sizes, encouraging multiple rating agencies, and utilising advanced technologies. TRAI also proposes granting infrastructure status to the broadcasting sector to boost investment, streamlining processes, measuring broadcasting's impact on GDP, implementing a policy for the AVGC sector, and expanding TV reach through broadband infrastructure and subsidised schemes for underserved populations.
Trai won’t charge users for multiple SIMs
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has denied reports of planning to charge consumers for multiple SIMs. Trai clarified that there are no proposals for fees on numbering resources, emphasising efficient allocation. Trai's discussion paper aims to enhance telecom services through effective use of telecommunications identifiers.
TRAI broadens scope of telecom consumer education fund
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Friday amended regulations 6 and 13 of the Telecommunication Consumers Education and Protection Fund (TCEPF) principal rules to enable utilisation of the fund for expenses relating to preparation, maintenance, audit of accounts, and for the participation of representatives of consumer groups attending meetings of the Committee for Utilisation of Telecommunication Consumers Education & Protection Fund (CUTCEF).
Paying for numbers is a crank call, TRAI
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has suggested charging for telephone numbers due to their finite nature. Despite the potential to increase capacity by adding digits, the growing use of numbers for machine communication poses a challenge. Transitioning to a new numbering system incurs costs, making numbers a limited resource over time. While depopulation and efficient recycling could suffice for humans, the machine-driven demand complicates differential pricing. An alternative approach could involve randomization, similar to the internet, to manage the finite availability of telephone numbers.
Trai reviewing norms for inactive landline and mobile connections, seeks feedback
The telecom regulator is seeking input on defining inactive landline and mobile connections as part of a discussion paper for a revised national numbering plan. It also seeks industry suggestions on reusing numbering resources from inactive connections.
Trai asks mobile users to report fraudulent calls/ SMSes/ WhatsApp messages to DoT
The telecom regulator in India has urged mobile users to report fraudulent calls, text messages, and WhatsApps from third-party agencies claiming to be the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) and threatening disconnections. The regulator stated that Trai does not initiate communications regarding mobile number disconnection and has not authorized any third-party agency to contact customers for such purposes.
IRDAI cracks down on fraudulent tele-callers; Check list of TRAI-assigned phone numbers insurers must use for customer calls
The IRDAI has instructed insurance companies and insurance intermediaries not to call customers from a standard 10-digit mobile number in an effort to take harsh measures against fraudulent telecallers.
Govt blacklists 8 principal entities in fresh strike down on SMS scammers
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has taken this decisive action to protect citizens from potential SMS fraud through the Sanchar Saathi initiative, the government said in a statement Monday.
Telecom infrastructure sharing may spur gear sharing too, experts say
The current scenario could change with Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) recommending creating a separate category under the unified license for Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Provider (DCIP) authorisation. "...the proposed DCIP authorisation holder may create both active and passive digital connectivity infrastructure and share it with other TSPs and has to pay no license fee to the government," Trai said in its recommendations last month.
Top regulators, govt departments join forces to counter pesky calls, online fraud
Regulators such as RBI, SEBI, Trai, along with government departments like the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, and DoT, convened on May 21 to address the issue of pesky communications and online financial fraud. Discussions centered on tightening KYC rules, improving information sharing among stakeholders, and enhancing consent mechanisms. Trai's joint committee of regulators is spearheading collaborative efforts to tackle digital regulatory implications.
'Broadcasting policy must exclude OTT, online gaming and music': Stakeholders to TRAI
Media and entertainment industry stakeholders are urging the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to confine its recommendations on the National Broadcasting Policy (NBP) solely to matters within the broadcasting sector. They advocate for the exclusion of non-broadcasting concerns such as OTT, online gaming, film, and music, citing that these areas fall outside TRAI's jurisdiction.
Trai to tighten rules to check pesky communication
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) plans to strengthen regulations and increase penalties to combat pesky communications affecting mobile phone users. Trai will issue a consultation paper to tighten rules and prevent misuse of the system, according to chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti. The government has allocated a new 160 numbering series for service and transactional calls, distinguishing them from promotional calls using the 140 series.
Trai to shortly release views on regulating communication apps
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is set to provide recommendations on the possible regulation of over-the-top (OTT) communication apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal. The consultation process initiated in July last year continues, with stakeholders having provided their comments.
DoT set to seek clarity, security clearance from NSCS on satcom
Officials familiar with the matter revealed that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is expected to approach the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) to seek approval and clarification regarding satellite communications, particularly concerning data transfer, usage, and the equipment and components utilized in satellite gateways located in India.
Load More
