TRAI and DoT Take Steps to Improve Telecom Services, Combat Spam Calls

To tackle the growing problem of spam calls, TRAI has instructed telecom operators to disconnect and blacklist entities using bulk connections for robocalls and pre-recorded messages.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) are collaborating to improve the quality of telecom services and provide users with a spam-free experience and faster data speeds. Several initiatives have been introduced to address the issues of spam calls and enhance service quality.

To tackle the growing problem of spam calls, TRAI has instructed telecom operators to disconnect and blacklist entities using bulk connections for robocalls and pre-recorded messages. Over the last two weeks, more than 3.5 lakh numbers have been disconnected, and 50 entities have been blacklisted. Additionally, 3.5 lakh unverified or unused SMS headers and 12 lakh content templates have been blocked to prevent misuse.

The DoT has also launched the citizen-centric platform Sanchar Saathi (https://sancharsaathi.gov.in) to combat cyber fraud. This platform allows citizens to report suspicious calls and messages. As a result, over one crore fraudulent mobile connections have been disconnected, and 2.27 lakh mobile handsets involved in cybercrimes and financial fraud have been blocked.

To improve the network experience, TRAI is working on tightening benchmarks for key network performance indicators such as call drop rates and packet drop rates. The newly released "Standards of Quality of Service of Access and Broadband Services Regulations, 2024" will take effect from October 1, 2024, with monthly monitoring of mobile service quality starting from April 2025 instead of the current quarterly reviews. These changes aim to enhance the overall user experience and ensure a higher standard of telecom service across India.