TRAI to fine telecom companies Rs. 5000 for every unwanted call from marketing companies

With the increasing complaints of unwarranted calls and messages soliciting customers the telecom regulator seems to have finally taken cognizance of the situation and imposed regulations on the companies.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has mandated financial penalties fixed at Rs. 5000 per complaint on telecom service providers whose networks are used for the unwanted communication by marketing companies. The penalty would be imposed on the service provider, if on verification of a complaint, it is found that the Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC) has been sent by a subscriber who is not registered as a telemarketer.

The regulatory body also warned that phone connections of banks, insurance firms and builders will be blacklisted if the mandated rules on unsolicited calls are violated by them, or their representatives. The body also criticised the various institutions on whose behalf such messages are transmitted or calls made.

The TRAI pointed out that a large number of complaints pertain to calls or messages received by consumers on behalf of banks, insurance companies, builders etc. Further, telecom resources issued to the subscriber/entity for which commercial transaction has been solicited would be disconnected across all service providers on receipt of a complaint after serving two notices.