The problem of spam calls has increased in the last few years. Measures to stop this have not been very effective. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has started taking strict action regarding spam calls. To curb unregistered telemarketers, telecom companies have disconnected more than 2.75 lakh mobile connections. Along with this, many firms have been blacklisted.

TRAI has statement “Telecom service providers have taken strict measures against those misusing telecom connections to make spam calls. More than 2.75 lakh telecom connections linked to spam calls have been disconnected. Along with this, more than 50 firms have been Blacklisted.” TRAI has received more than 7.9 lakh complaints of spam calls from unregistered telemarketers in the first half of this year. Last month, telecom service providers were given strict instructions to stop promotional calls from unregistered telemarketers. TRAI hopes that this will reduce spam calls and provide relief to users.

As per the TRAI directive given last month, all telecom companies in the country need to stop pre-recorded, computer generated or other types of spam calls from unregistered telemarketers or unregistered senders. Consequences were also decided for those who broke this rule. TRAI had said that if an unregistered telemarketer is found to be involved in spam calls, he may have to lose his phone connections.

To prevent the problem of spam calls, TRAI has also started using blockchain technology. TRAI has said that information related to blacklisting of the sender of spam calls will be received from the Originating Access Provider (OAP) to all other access providers within 24 hours. After this, all the telecom connections of the sender making spam calls will be disconnected. Apart from this, unregistered telemarketers making commercial voice calls will be shifted to TRAI’s blockchain platform within 30 days of the issue of this notice. Telecom companies have started trial of Caller ID service in some regions to deal with spam calls. This can make it easier to stop fake and spam calls.