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Economic Times
30-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
TDSAT halts ₹141 cr spam penalties on telcos, next hearing on August 8
ETTelecom Representative image. India's telecom operators won't need to pay penalties to the tune of around Rs141 crore levied by regulator for not being able to control spam till August 8, the next date of hearing on the case in the Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT). The telecom tribunal, at a hearing Thursday, adjourned the matter till August 8, and asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to submit an affidavit on the matter. During the hearing, both sides presented their arguments. As Trai has to share further information, the tribunal asked the counsel for the regulator to file an affidavit containing the requisite details. The regulator had levied penalties on all three private telcos - Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea as well as state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) - for failing to control spam. However, the operators had challenged the penalties, arguing that the regulator should not have levied the penalties when an anti-spam platform was still in the process of development. TDSAT had stayed the Trai's penalties in January. The fines were levied as part of the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCPR). The telcos argue that the delays in implementation of spam control measures were caused due to Covid and they were not responsible for the delay. To support their point, the telcos submitted details to the TDSAT stating that when Trai imposed the penalties, the digital consent acquisition (DCA) platform was still being staying the penalties in its January 28 order, the TDSAT had observed that telecom firms were not responsible for the delay in implementation of the regulations, including the DCA.'Thus, it is unfair and arbitrary on the part of the respondent to impose financial disincentives on the appellants (telcos) for something which was beyond their control,' TDSAT said in the January levying of penalties on telecom firms as part of the TCCCPR has been a bone of contention between the regulators and telcos. While the regulator has been imposing penalties on telcos, it has not realised any money as operators contended that they should not be held accountable for something which they don't control or to get the amount itself, the regulator had even asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to encash the bank guarantees of the companies to recover the amount. But the DoT has not agreed to the request of regulator has been strengthening the TCCCPR rules, but the telcos argue that since key stakeholders like telemarketers, over the top (OTT) have been kept out of the purview of the rules, there won't be desired results to curb spam.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
'Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea use analytical tools, AI algorithms to identify spam'
NEW DELHI: Incumbent telecom operators such as Reliance Jio , Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea are using analytical tools and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to identify pesky messages and voice calls, and are aggressively working on a pilot program together with banks for the newly-launched consent management framework. 'Telecom service providers are utilising sophisticated analytical tools and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to detect unusual calling and messaging patterns indicative of spam or unauthorized marketing activities or fraud,' the Cellular Operators Association of India ( COAI ) Director-General SP Kochhar told ETTelecom. Delhi-based telco group represents Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea. Telcos are proactively identifying potential violators and blocking their communication swiftly, as a part of continuous analysis, he added. Using an artificial Intelligence (AI)-machine learning (ML) based platform allows operators to detect, prevent and suspend fraudulent communication. Nearly half of the messages received by about 1.10 billion subscribers are spam. 'As India races toward a $1 trillion digital economy, trust will be its true currency. With consumers receiving 8–10 spam calls a day, it's time for industry and regulators to come together to build a cleaner, safer, and more respectful telecom ecosystem, one that inspires lasting confidence in our digital future,' said Vinish Bawa, partner and telecom sector leader, PwC India. Kochhar added that the telecom carriers are addressing unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) from unregistered telemarketers (UTM) making calls or sending SMS using regular 10-digit numbers through multiple proactive and preventive measures. Following the recent amendment to TCCCPR, telcos are working closely with the regulator by implementing recommended modules such as consumer preference registration, complaint management, blocking traffic from unregistered headers, content and consent-based scrubbing, whitelisting and scrubbing of OTT links, call back numbers and email addresses, and deactivation of unused headers and templates. The 1600 number series is also being implemented by telecom operators to identify transactional and service-related voice calls, particularly from government entities and regulated businesses like banks and financial institutions. 'Telecom service providers are currently working on the pilot for the new consent framework along with banks under the supervision of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India ( Trai ),' he said. Under the initiative, the telecom watchdog validated the operational, technical, and regulatory aspects of a digital consent registration. The sector regulator, together with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has partnered with select banks and telecom service providers to pilot the framework. These banks include State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), Canara Bank, ICICI, HDFC, and Kotak Mahindra Bank. 'In an increasingly digitalised world, cross sectoral collaboration among regulators is crucial for coordinated enablement of services and protection of consumers from harm. In a digital first economy, collaboration among financial sector regulators, digital communication regulators and the security agencies becomes paramount. TRAI appreciates the swift collaboration being facilitated through JCoR in building a reliable and safer communication environment,' TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti on Tuesday said. Lahoti reiterated the need for practical safeguards that deter spam and fraud without placing undue burden on legitimate businesses, and urged sectoral regulators to accelerate implementation within their respective domains and monitor progress closely. Earlier, a Trai official said that the initiative aims to achieve a larger objective of safeguarding consumer interest and reinforcing trust in legitimate commercial communication. Last year, the watchdog launched a program to build a secure and interoperable digital consent registry, maintained by telcos, to acquire consumer consent digitally In February this year, the regulator amended the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR), 2018, to curb spam messages and calls.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Breather for telecom operators from paying Rs 141 cr penalty over spam
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel New Delhi: India's telecom operators need not pay penalties to the tune of ₹141 crore till August 8 for failing to control spam. The regulator had levied the fines on the telcos, but Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has put off the payments till the next date of hearing in the the matter till next month, the tribunal had at a hearing Thursday asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to submit an affidavit on the sides presented their arguments during the hearing. As Trai has to share further information, the tribunal asked the counsel for the regulator to file an affidavit containing the requisite regulator had levied penalties on all three private telcos-Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea-as well as state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) for failing to control the private operators had challenged the move, arguing that the regulator should not have levied the penalties when an anti-spam platform was still in the process of had stayed Trai's penalties in fines were levied as part of the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCPR). The telcos argue that the delay in implementation of spam control measures was caused due to Covid and that they were not responsible for support their point, the telcos submitted details to the TDSAT stating that when Trai imposed the penalties, the digital consent acquisition (DCA) platform was still being staying the penalties in its January 28 order, the TDSAT had observed that telecom firms were not responsible for the delay in implementation of the regulations, including the DCA."Thus, it is unfair and arbitrary on the part of the respondent to impose financial disincentives on the appellants (telcos) for something which was beyond their control," TDSAT had said in the levying of penalties on telecom firms as part of the TCCCPR has been a point of dispute between the regulator and the telcos. While the regulator has been imposing penalties on telcos, it has not realised any money as operators contended that they should not be held accountable for something which they don't control or to get the amount itself, the regulator had even asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to encash the bank guarantees of the companies to recover the amount. But DoT has not agreed to the request.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Telcos get temporary relief in ₹141-crore spam penalty case
New Delhi: India's telecom operators won't need to pay penalties to the tune of around ₹141 crore levied by regulator for not being able to control spam till August 8, the next date of hearing on the case in the Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal ( TDSAT ). The telecom tribunal, at a hearing Thursday, adjourned the matter till August 8, and asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India ( Trai ) to submit an affidavit on the matter. During the hearing, both sides presented their arguments. As Trai has to share further information, the tribunal asked the counsel for the regulator to file an affidavit containing the requisite details. The regulator had levied penalties on all three private telcos - Reliance Jio , Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea as well as state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) - for failing to control spam. However, the operators had challenged the penalties, arguing that the regulator should not have levied the penalties when an anti-spam platform was still in the process of development. TDSAT had stayed the Trai's penalties in January. The fines were levied as part of the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations , 2018 (TCCCPR). The telcos argue that the delays in implementation of spam control measures were caused due to Covid and they were not responsible for the delay. To support their point, the telcos submitted details to the TDSAT stating that when Trai imposed the penalties, the digital consent acquisition (DCA) platform was still being deployed. While staying the penalties in its January 28 order, the TDSAT had observed that telecom firms were not responsible for the delay in implementation of the regulations, including the DCA. 'Thus, it is unfair and arbitrary on the part of the respondent to impose financial disincentives on the appellants (telcos) for something which was beyond their control,' TDSAT said in the January order. The levying of penalties on telecom firms as part of the TCCCPR has been a bone of contention between the regulators and telcos. While the regulator has been imposing penalties on telcos, it has not realised any money as operators contended that they should not be held accountable for something which they don't control or perpetuate. Failing to get the amount itself, the regulator had even asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to encash the bank guarantees of the companies to recover the amount. But the DoT has not agreed to the request of Trai. The regulator has been strengthening the TCCCPR rules, but the telcos argue that since key stakeholders like telemarketers, over the top (OTT) have been kept out of the purview of the rules, there won't be desired results to curb spam.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
TDSAT halts ₹141 cr spam penalties on telcos, next hearing on August 8
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel India's top three private telcos won't need to pay penalties to the tune of around Rs 141 crore levied by regulator for not being able to control spam till August 8, the next date of hearing on the case in the Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT).The telecom tribunal, at a hearing Thursday, adjourned the matter till August 8, and asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to submit an affidavit on the the hearing, both sides presented their arguments. As Trai has to share further information, the tribunal asked the counsel for the regulator to file an affidavit containing the requisite regulator had levied penalties on all three private telcos - Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea - for failing to control spam. However, the operators had challenged the penalties, arguing that the regulator should not have levied the penalties when an anti-spam platform was still in the process of development. TDSAT had stayed the Trai's penalties in fines were levied as part of the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCPR). The telcos argue that the delays in implementation of spam control measures were caused due to Covid and they were not responsible for the support their point, the telcos submitted details to the TDSAT stating that when Trai imposed the penalties, the digital consent acquisition (DCA) platform was still being staying the penalties in its January 28 order, the TDSAT had observed that telecom firms were not responsible for the delay in implementation of the regulations, including the DCA.'Thus, it is unfair and arbitrary on the part of the respondent to impose financial disincentives on the appellants (telcos) for something which was beyond their control,' TDSAT said in the January levying of penalties on telecom firms as part of the TCCCPR has been a bone of contention between the regulators and telcos. While the regulator has been imposing penalties on telcos, it has not realised any money as operators contended that they should not be held accountable for something which they don't control or to get the amount itself, the regulator had even asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to encash the bank guarantees of the companies to recover the amount. But the DoT has not agreed to the request of regulator has been strengthening the TCCCPR rules, but the telcos argue that since key stakeholders like telemarketers, over the top (OTT) have been kept out of the purview of the rules, there won't be desired results to curb spam.
