Now Reading: TRAI allots 1601-series numbers to utilities and logistics firms
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TRAI allots 1601-series numbers to utilities and logistics firms
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has directed non-banking sector companies to use 1601-series numbers for transactional and service calls. Phase-I covers entities in utilities, courier, and logistics sectors.
The Story in Brief
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has directed non-banking sector companies to use 1601-series numbers for transactional and service calls. Phase-I covers entities in utilities, courier, and logistics sectors.
Numbers will be allocated directly to eligible entities after verification by telecom operators, not to intermediaries. TRAI said the distinct numbering will help consumers identify legitimate calls and combat impersonation by fraudsters who use normal 10-digit numbers. The move follows the adoption of 1600-series numbers by the BFSI sector.
The Indian Opinion
This is a sensible step against call spoofing, but execution will matter. The 1600-series worked for banks largely because of strict verification. Will the same rigour apply to courier companies and utility firms, many of which outsource calls? If verification is lax, fraudsters will simply migrate. The real test is whether telecom operators penalise intermediaries that bypass the system. Watch how many 1601-series numbers are actually active six months from now.
Source: telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
