News in Short

• TRAI has tightened rules to identify and curb suspected spam calls.
• Telecom operators will use AI-based methods to detect numbers linked to spam activity.
• Five flagged numbers within 10 days can trigger additional verification.
• Repeat violations may lead to outgoing service blocking or disconnection.
• Businesses must declare Application-to-Person calls to their telecom operators.

TRAI has tightened its anti-spam framework as unwanted commercial calls continue to affect telecom users. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has added AI-based detection and new requirements for automated commercial calls.

The revised rules also give telecom operators more scope to act against numbers linked to suspected spam. Meanwhile, businesses using automated calling systems will face additional compliance requirements.

TRAI Adds AI to Spam Call Detection

Under the revised framework, telecom operators will use AI-based methods to identify numbers that show a high likelihood of spam activity.

Operators will also share information about suspected spam numbers with other telecom providers. This approach could help providers identify patterns that span multiple networks.

Additionally, TRAI has introduced a mechanism for stronger action when several numbers linked to the same sender raise spam concerns.

The move expands the role of automated detection in India’s anti-spam system.

Five Flagged Numbers Can Trigger Verification

The new rules also focus on senders that use multiple numbers for commercial communication.

If operators flag five or more numbers linked to a sender within 10 days, they can begin KYC re-verification and physical verification. Operators can also block outgoing services in such cases.

Furthermore, repeated violations can result in service disconnection.

This gives telecom providers a clearer process for dealing with senders that repeatedly trigger spam concerns.

New Rules for Automated Commercial Calls

TRAI has also changed the framework for Application-to-Person, or A2P, calls.

These calls use an application, software system or automated platform instead of a person directly dialling the number. The definition covers autodialled calls, robocalls, pre-recorded messages and calls using artificial or recorded voices.

Businesses that use A2P calling systems must declare the service to their telecom provider. They must also provide the numbers used for these calls.

If a business fails to declare an A2P call, TRAI will treat it as unsolicited commercial communication.

A2P Calls Could Face a 5 Paise Charge

The revised rules introduce a termination charge of up to 5 paise per minute for certain A2P calls.

However, TRAI has provided exemptions. Calls made through numbering series designated for regulated commercial communication will not face this charge. Calls specifically authorised by TRAI will also remain exempt.

For businesses, the change could make compliance more important when using automated voice systems for customer communication.

Consumers Get an Appeal Mechanism

The revised framework also adds protections for consumers. Users will have an appeal mechanism against relevant actions taken under the anti-spam rules.

TRAI has also added safeguards aimed at preventing misuse of commercial headers and content templates.

At the same time, call-management applications will face new restrictions. They cannot blanket-block, filter or label calls as spam when they come from designated 140xx, 1600xx or 1601xx numbering series.

The revised framework therefore affects telecom operators, businesses using automated calls and the apps that manage incoming calls.