Say Goodbye to Telemarketing Calls

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has devised a solution for telecom subscribers to get rid of unsolicited calls.

Anjali Rego|Sep 19, 2007, 09:00:00 IST

Tired of receiving unwanted calls at unearthly hours? The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has come out with a solution for telecom subscribers who wish to avoid unsolicited calls.

TRAI has launched a website for all telecom subscribers to register on National Do Not Call (NDNC) Registry through the service provider if they do not wish to receive unsolicited commercial calls and messages.

The primary objective of the NDNC Registry is to curb Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC).

UCC has been defined as "any message, through telecommunications service, which is transmitted for the purpose of informing about, or soliciting or promoting any commercial transaction in relation to goods, investments or services which a subscriber opts not to receive, but, does not include:

Any message (other than promotional message) relating to a service or financial transaction under a specific contract between the parties to such contract; or
Any messages relating to charities, national campaigns or natural calamities transmitted on the directions of the government or agencies authorized by it for the said purpose
Messages transmitted, on the directions of the government or any authority or agency authorized by it, in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality."

The NDNC Registry will be a database having a list of all telephone numbers of the subscribers who do not want to receive UCC. After the establishment of the NDNC registry, telephone subscribers (landline or mobile) who do not wish to receive UCC can register their telephone numbers with their telecom service provider for inclusion in the NDNC. Telecom service providers would upload these telephone numbers to the NDNC within 45 days of receipt.

Telemarketers will have to verify their calling telephone numbers list with the NDNC registry before making a call. Any subscriber receiving telemarketing calls/SMSs after 45 days of registration may complain to their service provider with the relevant details so that suitable action can be taken against the telemarketer.