Trai steps in to curb unsolicited commercial calls

With an aim to reduce telemarketing calls and SMSs, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has suggested setting up a type of do-not-call register wherein subscribers can list and avoid getting such calls.
    
"Considering the growing dissatisfaction among consumers, Trai has initiated a consultation process aimed at reducing the bulk of unsolicited commercial communication (UCC)," the telecom regulator said in a release.

UCC includes telemarketing calls, SMSs, or other commercial or marketing messages. Trai is aware that it cannot enforce a perfect solution due to jurisdictional limitations, but seeks to provide immediate relief to consumers through a low cost and simple solution.

"The intention is not to ban telemarketing activity in itself. Indeed, a portion of the population wants to learn about different products and services. Telemarketing is a large industry that has generated useful employment," the release said.

"Trai seeks public comment on the mechanism that it should put in place to reduce such calls, and has proposed solutions that will require the cooperation of telemarketers, service providers, consumers and the government," the release added.