Page 5 - Trai

Telcos can't opt out of new service authorisation regime: Trai chairman

Consultation paper on satellite spectrum to be launched in next few days, Chairman says

Trai to discuss OTT apps regulation; expedite Satcom framework: Chairman

Telecom regulator Trai will expedite the process for satellite spectrum pricing before taking up the issue of regulation for over-the-top apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Google Meet, Trai chairman said on Wednesday. A consultation paper on pricing for Satellite Spectrum will issued in the next few days, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) Chairman RC Lahoti said. "OTT was not part of this paper (Service Authorisation Framework under Telecommunications Act 2023). It is being discussed separately. Right now, we have to take up spectrum pricing on a priority basis," Lahoti said. He said that Trai will explore if OTT apps need to be regulated under the Telecommunications Act 2023. Telecom operators have expressed concern over Trai's recent recommendation on a new regime that proposes to allow the provisioning of telecom service using single authorisation instead of a license, which was the norm under the old regime. Lahoti said Trai has only recommended the framework that

Telcom firms, Scindia discuss AGR, OTP apps exclusion from licensing rules

Telecom operators in a meeting with Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia expressed concerns over regulator Trai excluding messaging and calling apps like WhatsApp and Telegram in its recommendation on new licensing rules, sources aware of the development said. Operators also discussed issues concerning adjusted gross revenue payments, they added. The meeting was attended by Reliance Jio Chairman Akash Ambani, Vodafone Idea CEO Akshaya Moondra, Bharti Airtel MD and CEO Gopal Vittal and BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Robert J Ravi. "All telecom operators expressed concern over the exclusion of over-the-top apps by Trai in its recommendation on Service Authorisation. Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel raised the issue of adjusted gross revenue," a source said. Telecom operators have been demanding for a long time to bring calling and messaging apps, called as OTTs, under the ambit of telecom licences as they provide calling and messaging services like any telecom operator. The Telec

Trai excludes OTTs like WhatsApp, Telegram from licensing regime overhaul

Three broad categories of telecommunication service authorisations proposed in move to streamline rules

Trai, DoT jointly disconnect over 10 million mobile phone connection

Telecom regulator Trai and the Department of Telecom have jointly disconnected over 1 crore mobile connections to check pesky callers and fraudsters, according to an official statement. The Department of Telecom has blocked 2.27 lakh mobile handsets for their involvement in cybercrime and financial fraud. "Till date, more than 1 crore fraudulent mobile connections have been disconnected with the help of Sancharsaathi. Further, 2.27 lakh mobile handsets have been blocked for involvement in cybercrime /financial frauds," the statement said. To curb the menace of spam calls, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has directed telecom operators to disconnect and blacklist entities, using bulk connections for spam calls, including robocalls and pre-recorded calls. "In the last fortnight, over 3.5 lakh such numbers have been disconnected and 50 entities have been blacklisted. In addition, around 3.5 Lakh unused and unverified SMS headers and 12 Lakh content templates are blocke

Trai urges DoT to encash Rs 115 cr from telcos for spam-related violations

The telecom regulator maintains that telcos are responsible for controlling unsolicited commercial communications under the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations

Trai's anti-spam push: 50 firms blacklisted and 275,000 lines cut by telcos

Trai has introduced new regulations requiring telecom operators to block promotional calls originating from unregistered sources after receiving over 790,000 complaints about spam calls

Trai extends mandatory whitelisting deadline by a month to October 1

Telcos to submit status update to Trai in 15 days

Telecom regulator calls for thorough review of existing rules on spam

Fighting unprecedented incidence of spam calls and texts, Trai begins the process to review the definition of commercial communication

Financial firms in last-minute rush to comply with Trai mandate on URLs

Most banks said they do not send marketing content in messages containing URLs, so the Trai mandate may not cause disruption for their customers

September 1 deadline: Trai asks top regulators to apply whitelist norms

The telecom regulator directs RBI, SEBI, Home Ministry and others to register the content of text messages

How Trai's new rules may cause OTP delays for you starting Sept 1

Trai has ordered telecom companies to stop transmitting messages containing URLs, OTT links, APK files, or call-back numbers unless they have been whitelisted

Trai proposes to cut broadband charges for public wifi service providers

Telecom regulator Trai on Friday proposed to bring down broadband connection charges for public data offices, which provide public wifi services, at par with retail users, as the number of public wifi spots in the country is far below the target number envisaged by the government. In the explanatory note of draft Telecommunication Tariff (Seventh Amendment) Order, 2024, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) found that the annual tariff of a 100 mbps of internet leased line tariff are 40-80 times more than 100 mbps of fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband connection for retail users. Trai said it is of the view that public data offices (PDOs), specifically the small-scale units like local shops, retailers, generally have low revenue potential and they neither need an ILL connection nor they can afford high backhaul rates which are applicable for large commercial entities. "The authority proposes that for the purpose of providing PM-WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) scheme

Trai to provide clarity on licensing regime for OTTs by Aug-end: Officials

Telcos want communication OTTs to be regulated under the same conditions and treatment as them

Trai directs telcos to track messages, block unregistered telemarketers

Trai said that starting September 1, all access service providers are banned from sending messages with URLs, APKs, OTT links, or callback numbers that are not whitelisted by the senders

Trai urges telcos to control misuse of message headers, content templates

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Tuesday hardened its stance on pesky telemarketers, as it directed telcos to take specific measures to curb misuse of messaging services and protect consumers from fraudulent practices. Continuing its offensive against unsolicited spam calls and messages, TRAI made it clear that from September 1, 2024, all access service providers will be prohibited from transmitting messages containing URLs, OTT links, or call back numbers which are not 'whitelisted' (authorised) by the senders. To enhance message traceability, TRAI has mandated that the trail of all messages from senders to recipients must be traceable from November 1, 2024. Any message with an undefined or mismatched telemarketer chain will be rejected. The latest move assumes significance as TRAI has cracked the whip on unauthorised telemarketers indulging in promotional calls and messages to telecom subscribers. Last week, TRAI directed telcos to disconnect all telecom resourc

D2M pilot project to be expanded, but no mandate for smartphones yet

Telcos remain opposed to D2M tech, which allows phones to stream live TV without the internet

Trai directs service providers to stop spam calls, blacklist callers

Such unregistered callers will be blacklisted for up to two years, the statement said, adding that telecom service providers would need to submit updates on action taken on scam callers

Trai asks telcos to blacklist unregistered telemarketers' lines over spam

Sector regulator TRAI on Tuesday directed telcos to disconnect all telecom resources of unregistered telemarketers found making spam calls, and to blacklist them for up to two years. Further, TRAI has asked telcos to comply immediately with its latest directive and submit regular updates on action taken in this regard on a fortnightly basis. Issuing its directive to telcos, TRAI said this "decisive action" is expected to significantly reduce spam calls and provide relief to consumers. TRAI in a release said it has issued "directives to access providers to disconnect all telecom resources of unregistered senders for making spam calls and to blacklist such senders under the Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulations, 2018" regulations. Towards this, TRAI has mandated all access service providers to stop voice promotional calls whether pre-recorded or computer generated or otherwise from all unregistered senders or telemarketers (UTMs) using bulk connections or .

War on spam: Trai directs telcos to curb misuse of bulk connections

Internet URLs or APK files which are not whitelisted can't be delivered by texts, TRAI directs