India News Get -BusinessTRAI fines Jio, Airtel, BSNL and Vodafone Idea for not being able to control spam
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India i.e. TRAI has fined Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea (VI) and BSNL for failing to stop spam calls and messages. This information was given in the Economic Times report.
Apart from four large companies, TRAI has also imposed fines on many small telecom operators. TRAI imposed this fine on all companies under the Telecommunications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR). In the last round, TRAI imposed a total fine of ₹12 crore on all companies.
Total fine of ₹141 crore for telecom companies
Including previous fines, the total fine imposed on the telecom companies stands at ₹141 crore. However, companies have not yet paid these contributions. TRAI has asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to recover the money by encashing the companies’ bank guarantees, but the DoT’s decision on the matter is still pending.
TCCCPR aims to protect consumers from unwanted calls and messages.
TCCCPR was created in 2010. Its goal is to protect consumers from unwanted calls and messages. TCCCPR’s functions include providing options for customers to block promotional content, requiring registration for telemarketers, time restrictions on promotional communications, and penalties for rule violations.
The purpose of the TCCCPR is to protect consumers from unwanted calls and messages.
The spam problem is caused by companies and telemarketers: telecom operators
Telecom operators say the spam problem is caused by companies and telemarketers, not the carriers. The operators also claim that it is wrong to impose fines on them because they are only intermediaries. Operators said companies have made substantial investments to reduce spam, even as some companies skirt regulations.
Telecom companies are also urging banks and businesses to implement spam regulations.
Telecom companies have urged TRAI to impose spam regulations on over-the-top (OTT) platforms like WhatsApp as well as banks and other businesses. According to him, these platforms contribute significantly to spam traffic and it is necessary to regulate them.
TRAI is revising and improving the TCCCPR to deal with spam more effectively. At a recent meeting, telecom operators emphasized that spam can only be eliminated if all participants in the ecosystem, including OTT platforms and companies, are held accountable.