TRAI, TELECOM CONSUMERS PROTECTION (SIXTH AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS, 2013

1
TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE OF INDIA, EXTRAORDINARY,
PART III, SECTION 4
TELECOM REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF INDIA
NOTIFICATION
NEW DELHI, THE 21st FEBRUARY, 2013
TELECOM CONSUMERS PROTECTION (SIXTH AMENDMENT)
REGULATIONS, 2013 (2 of 2013)
No. 308-5/2011-QOS. ----- In exercise of the powers conferred under section 36, read with sub-clauses (i) and (v) of clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 11 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997(24 of 1997), the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India hereby makes the following regulations further to amend the Telecom Consumers Protection Regulations, 2012 (2 of 2012), namely:-
1. (1) These regulations may be called the Telecom Consumers Protection (Sixth Amendment) Regulations, 2013;
(2) They shall come into force on the 22nd of March, 2013.
2. In regulation 2 of the Telecom Consumers Protection Regulations, 2012 (hereinafter referred to as the principal regulations),-
(a) after clause (a), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:-
―(aa) ―activity‖ means a voice call (outgoing or incoming) or video call (outgoing or incoming) or an outgoing SMS or a data session (upload or download) or usage of Value Added Services or payment of rental in case of post paid connection or any other usage, as may be specified by the service provider, as an activity ;‖;


2
(b) after clause (b), the following clause shall be inserted, namely :-
―(ba) ―Automatic Number Retention Scheme‖ means protection from deactivation of cellular mobile telephone connection of a pre-paid consumer for non-usage on deduction of specified amount from the account of the consumer.;‖;
(c) after clause (h), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:-
―(ha) ―Non-usage‖ means absence of an activity ; ‖;
(d) after clause (l), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:-
―(la) ―Safe Custody Scheme‖ means the facility for protection from deactivation for non-usage of a cellular mobile telephone connection of a postpaid consumer on the request of the consumer and on payment of specified amount.;‖;
3. In regulation 3 of the principal regulations, after clause (e), the following clause shall be inserted, namely :-
―(f) the details regarding deactivation of cellular mobile telephone connection due to non-usage.‖.
4. After Chapter III of the principal regulations, the following Chapter shall be inserted, namely :-
“CHAPTER IV
DEACTIVATION OF CELLULAR MOBILE TELEPHONE CONNECTION DUE TO NON-USAGE
11. Deactivation of cellular mobile telephone connection of pre-paid consumer due to


non-usage.-----Subject to provision of regulation 12, every service provider shall ensure that no cellular mobile telephone connection of a prepaid consumer is deactivated for non-usage, for a minimum period of ninety days or such longer period as may be specified by the service provider.
12. Automatic Number Retention scheme for pre-paid consumers.-----(1) No service provider shall deactivate the cellular mobile telephone connection of a pre-paid consumer for non-usage if an amount exceeding twenty rupees or such lesser amount, as may be specified by the service provider, is available in the account of such consumer:
Provided that the service provider may deduct an amount not exceeding twenty rupees, as may be specified by the service provider, from the pre-paid account of the consumer for extension of period of non-usage beyond ninety days.
(2) Upon deduction of the amount mentioned in sub-regulation (1), the non-usage period of the cellular mobile connection of the consumer shall be extended by a further period of thirty days and this process shall be repeated till such time the minimum amount exceeding twenty rupees or such lesser amount, as may be specified by the service provider under sub-regulation (1), is available in the account of the consumer.
(3) If a consumer performs an activity during the extended period of non-usage, he shall be entitled for a fresh period of non-usage of ninety days or such longer period as may be specified by the service provider.
13. Safe Custody scheme for post-paid consumers.-----(1) Every service provider shall implement a safe custody scheme for postpaid consumers.
(2) No service provider shall deactivate the cellular mobile telephone connection of a post-paid consumer for non-usage if such consumer makes a request for safe custody of his telephone

4
connection and makes payment of an amount not exceeding one hundred fifty rupees for every three months or part thereof, as may be specified by the service provider.
(3) The service provider shall not charge monthly rental from the consumer during the period of safe custody of the cellular mobile telephone connection.
(4) If the post paid consumer of the cellular mobile telephone connection has made payment of advance rent for a specified period, the service provider shall not deactivate the mobile connection of such consumer on the ground of non-usage during the period for which advance rent has been paid.
(5) If the consumer of cellular mobile telephone connection makes a request for restoration of his mobile connection during the period of safe custody, the service provider shall, within twenty four hours of receipt of request, restore his mobile connection.
14. The grace period for reactivation------(1) The cellular mobile telephone connection of a consumer deactivated for non-usage shall not be allocated to any other consumer till the expiry of a minimum period of fifteen days or such longer period, as may be specified by the service provider, from the date of deactivation and during such period the consumer can get his mobile connection reactivated by making payment of an amount not exceeding twenty rupees, as may be specified by the service provider.
15. Communication of information to the consumer.-----(1) Every service provider shall communicate to the consumers, in a transparent manner, the following information:-
(a) the period of non-usage after which the mobile connection of the consumer is liable to be deactivated;
(b) the details of the activities, the absence of which shall amount to non-usage;
(c) the details of Automatic Number Retention scheme;
(d) the details of Safe Custody scheme; and
(e) the grace period for reactivation of the cellular mobile telephone connection.

(2) The information mentioned in sub-regulation (1) shall be intimated to the consumer through :-
(a) Start Up Kit and Customer Acquisition Form;
(b) tariff leaflets or brochures, if any;
(c) display on the website, retail points of sale and complaint centres of the service
provider;
(d) publication in one English and one regional language newspaper every six
months along with the tariff published under direction F. No. 301-14/2010-ER
dated the 16th January, 2012; and
(e) SMS within ten days from the date of commencement of these regulations and every six
months thereafter.
(3) Every service provider shall, immediately on deduction of an amount under regulation 12, provide to the consumer through SMS the following information :-
(a) the amount deducted;
(b) the purpose for which the deduction is made; and
(c) the balance amount available in the pre-paid account of the consumer.‖.
(Rajeev Agrawal)
SECRETARY
Note.1. — The principal regulations were published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III, Section 4 dated the 6th January, 2012 vide notification number No. 308-5/2011- QOS dated the 6th January, 2012.
Note.2. – The principal regulations were amended vide Notification No.308-5/2011-QOS and published in the Gazette of India,Extraordinary, Part III, Section 4 dated the 11thJanuary, 2012.
Note.3.–The principal regulations were further amended vide Notification No.308-5/2011-QOS and published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III, Section 4 dated the 21stFebruary, 2012.
Note.4.- The principal regulations were further amended vide Notification No.308-5/2011-QOS and published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III, Section 4 dated the 7th March, 2012.


Note.5. – The principal regulations were further amended vide Notification No.308-5/2011-QOS and published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III, Section 4 dated the 22nd October, 2012.
Note.6. – The principal regulations were further amended vide Notification No.308-5/2011-QOS and published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III, Section 4 dated the 27th November, 2012.
Note.7. –The Explanatory Memorandum explains the objects and reasons of the Telecom Consumers Protection (Sixth Amendment) Regulations, 2013 (2 of 2013).




EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
1. Several Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) currently prescribe a condition of deactivation if the Cellular Mobile Telephone connections remain inactive for a certain specified period. On such deactivation the balance amount in the account of the pre-paid consumer gets forfeited. This practice sometimes causes inconvenience to genuine consumers.
2. The TSPs contend that Cellular Mobile Telephone connections in a state of continuous non-usage not only block scarce numbering resource but also block their database space in various systems like the Billing System, Customer Resource Management platforms etc. Keeping such connections active in the system for unduly long period becomes non-remunerative for the TSPs. The Authority observed that the criteria for deactivation followed by TSPs are not uniform and also are not transparently conveyed to the consumers. With a view to protect the interests of the consumers while seeking to ensure better utilization of scarce numbering resources, the Authority had initiated a consultation process for seeking views of stakeholders on various aspects relating to deactivation of SIMs or mobile connections on the ground of non-usage. After considering the views of stakeholders and keeping in view other factors relevant to the issue, the Authority has decided to put in place certain regulatory guidelines through an amendment to the Telecom Consumer Protection Regulation, 2012. The Authority wishes to make it clear that there is no intention to mandate deactivation of Cellular Mobile Telephone connections on the ground of non-usage. It is solely at the discretion of the TSPs whether or not to prescribe any such condition for deactivation.
‘Non-usage’ attracting the condition of deactivation
3. The consultation paper had listed several possible activities which could constitute ‗usage‘ of the Cellular Mobile Telephone Service connection. The list of activities, absence of which constitute non-usage given in the regulation, is not exhaustive. While some of the activities have been mandated to constitute usage, the TSPs will continue to have the flexibility to include any other activity like activation of voucher, incoming SMS etc. in the scope of usage, if they wish to do so. 4. Currently, most of the service providers prescribe sixty days of non-usage as the criteria for deactivation of Cellular Mobile Telephone Service connections. The suggestions by stakeholders are generally in the range of 50 days to 180 days. The Authority has decided to prescribe a minimum of ninety days of non-usage with a grace period of fifteen days for reactivation. The service providers will have the flexibility to decide a duration of non-usage longer than ninety days for the purpose of deactivation. During the grace period, the consumer will have the option to seek reactivation of the same number on payment of the prescribed fee which shall not exceed rupees twenty.
Automatic Number Retention (ANR) and Safe Custody Schemes
5. The ANR Scheme which is meant for Mobile prepaid consumers enables the consumers to protect their numbers (Cellular Mobile Telephone connections) irrespective of absence of activity beyond the period (not below ninety days) specified for the purpose, by keeping sufficient balance in their accounts. The service providers shall extend the date of deactivation by thirty days on each occasion after deducting the prescribed amount not exceeding rupees twenty from the balance available. If during such extended period the consumer performs any activity specified as ‗usage‘, his Cellular Mobile Telephone connection shall be considered as active for a fresh period (not below ninety days) specified by the TSPs for deactivation due to non-usage. This process of deducting the specified charge under ANR scheme from the pre-paid balance of the consumer shall continue till such time the balance in the account falls below the prescribed amount under these regulations. This scheme does not require any explicit positive action on the part of the prepaid consumers and works automatically. The service providers also get compensated for the work done in keeping the Cellular Mobile Telephone connections active in the system. The ANR scheme ensures that forfeiture of balance amount in cases of deactivation due to non-usage is kept at the minimum and thus prevents unjust enrichment of TSPs. The amount already deducted from account of the consumer under the ANR scheme is not required to be refunded in case the consumer, performs activity during the extended period of non-usage under ANR scheme.
6. ‗Safe Custody Scheme‘ is meant for Mobile postpaid consumers. The concerns on account of deactivation due to non-usage are different and perhaps less relevant for postpaid consumers. Unlike in the prepaid platform, consumers in the postpaid plans generally pay monthly rental and are therefore entitled to remain as active consumers despite continuous period of non-usage. However, a postpaid consumer who expects non-usage of the Cellular Mobile Telephone connection for a considerable period, will be in a disadvantageous position as he will need to continue payment of monthly rental of the tariff plan despite non-usage. The safe custody scheme mandated through these regulations enables a postpaid consumer to avoid disconnection by making a request to this effect to his service provider and by paying the charges (not exceeding Rs.150/- for three months) specified for the purpose. Considering that the average revenue from postpaid consumers is several times higher than that of prepaid consumers and that the scheme presumes a voluntary positive action on the part of the consumer, the maximum charges for safe custody has been fixed at a higher level vis-à-vis the charges applicable in respect of ANR scheme for prepaid consumers. Moreover, in the case of safe custody, the postpaid consumer is not required to pay rental during the safe custody period.
7. If a cellular mobile telephone number is deactivated due to non-usage, the same number shall not be recycled or reallocated to any other consumer within a period of 15 days from the date of deactivation. In other words, there shall be a grace period of 15 days within which the consumer shall be entitled for requesting the telecom service provider for reactivation of his cellular mobile telephone connection with the same number on payment of the amount specified for reactivation.

TRAI released a Regulation on ‘Deactivation of Cellular Mobile Telephone Connections due to Non-usage"

Telecom regulator Trai said inactive mobile connections of prepaid customers cannot be deactivated if they have a minimum balance of Rs 20 in their account and the time period for considering 'inactive' has been set at 90 days.

Announcing an amendment to a regulation for protecting consumers, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) said: "There shall be no deactivation if the balance in prepaid consumer account is Rs 20 or more."

"The mobile connections of prepaid consumers shall not be deactivated for any period of non-usage less than 90 days," Trai said.

As per amended regulations, telecom operator will have to provide facility to prepaid to reactivate numbers by paying reasonable amount.

"A consumer whose connection is deactivated shall be given a grace period of 15 days within which he can reactivate the same number," Trai added.

TRAI released a Regulation on ‘Deactivation of Cellular Mobile Telephone Connections due to Non-usage’.

THE TELECOMMUNICATION TARIFF (FIFTY FOURTH AMENDMENT) ORDER, 2012

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
1. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India issued the Telecom
Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulation,
2010 (6 of 2010) dated the 1st December, 2010 to provide an
effective mechanism for curbing unsolicited commercial
communications (UCC). All the provisions of regulations came into
force from 27th September 2011. The above regulation had put a
limit of 200 SMS per day per SIM. This restriction had the desired
effect in curbing UCC to a great extent. However, after the removal
of the cap of 200 SMS per day per SIM, the number of complaints
relating to UCC from 10 digit numbers have increased manifold.
This required further regulatory measures to address the increasing
menace of UCC.
2. With a view to effectively address the concerns on unsolicited
commercial communications, TRAI had undertaken a Consultation
process. Keeping in view the feedback received from the
stakeholders and other facts and circumstances of the case, TRAI
has issued The Telecom Commercial Communications Customer
Preference (Tenth Amendment) Regulations, 2012. This
Amendment has inter-alia modified sub-regulation (2) of regulation
20 of the principal regulations, specifying that any person other
than a telemarketer registered under regulation 14 or an entity
sending transactional message shall be charged as specified in the
Telecommunication Tariff Order to be notified separately.
3. The Authority has observed that subscribers undertaking
telemarketing activities using normal telephone connections use
discounted SMS packages available in the market, for sending bulk
promotional SMSs. During the consultation, some of the
stakeholders have suggested that a differential tariff may be
imposed to make it economically unviable for unregistered
telemarketers to send commercial communications using ten digit
numbers. Such provisions will also encourage unregistered
telemarketers to get them registered to get discounted telecom
resources. Some service providers offer bundled plans and
packages where the SMS charges effectively become close to zero.
As far back as 2011, the Authority recognised that such bulk SMS
rates are attractive to advertisers and can impose costs on other
networks by directing heavy traffic to other operators’ networks.
The Authority had recognised that such practices justified

regulatory intervention. Accordingly, TTO has been amended
mandating the service providers not to allow sending of more than
one hundred SMS per day per SIM at concessional rate. However,
subscribers can send SMS beyond one hundred SMS per day per
SIM, but all such SMSs will be charged at the rate of not less than
fifty paisa per SMS.
4. While arriving at the floor price of 50 paisa in respect of SMS in
excess of 100 per day per SIM, the Authority looked into the SMS
rates currently levied by various operators in the tariff plans as well
as SMS packages. It was noticed that the maximum rates levied by
most of the operators for local SMS is Re.1 per SMS. There are also
tariff plans where SMS rate is as low as 5 Paisa per SMS. Further,
the access service providers are also offering a number of special
tariff vouchers providing free and/or concessional SMS rates. With
a view to disincentivise the consumers from sending large number
of SMS and to augment the objective of The Telecom Commercial
Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2012, the
Authority has decided to specify a floor tariff of fifty paisa for SMS
exceeding 100 per SIM per day sent by persons other than a
telemarketer registered under regulation 14 or an entity sending
transactional message referred in clause (k) of sub regulation 2 of
regulation 20 of The Telecom Commercial Communications
Customer Preference Regulations, 2012.
5. The above floor price of fifty paisa per SMS exceeding 100 SMS per
SIM per day will also apply to the SMS packages offered.
Consequently, though consumers shall be able to send any number
of SMS on any day, the number of free SMS or SMS at tariff less
than fifty paisa per SMS shall not exceed 100 SMS per SIM per day.
6. After implementation of the TTO 54th Amendment, the subscribers
may have to pay a higher rate for SMS in excess of 100 per day per
SIM. Therefore, it is essential that this condition is explicitly and
transparently conveyed by service providers to all subscribers who
are otherwise entitled to lower rates in their tariff plans or SMS
packages.
7. The Authority expects that notifying a floor tariff of fifty paisa per
SMS for SMS exceeding 100 SMS per SIM per day would be one of
the several measures initiated to effectively protect the telecom
subscribers from the menace of unsolicited commercial
communications being sent by the unregistered telemarketers

The National Customer Call Preference Registry GUIDELINES FOR CUSTOMERS

1. Are you a subscriber? And do you wish to block commercial
communications? You can register your preference with your Service
Provider either by way of voice call or SMS. In either case, you can do so
by accessing the number 1909. Please note that this number is Toll
Free, which means that the call you make or the SMS you send to this
number will not be charged.
2. In blocking the commercial communication, you have two choices. You
can register either in the
(a) Fully Blocked category; or in the
(b) Partially Blocked category
3. If you do not to want to get any commercial communication on your
phone either by way of voice or SMS, please register in the Fully Blocked
category;
4. Please register in the Partially Blocked category, if you wish to get
commercial communications in the form of SMS in respect of any or all
or some of the following seven subjects:
1. Banking/Insurance/Financial products/Credit cards,
2. Real Estate,
3. Education,
4. Health,
5. Consumer goods and automobiles,
6. Communication/Broadcasting/Entertainment/IT,
7. Tourism and Leisure.
Please note that in the Partially Blocked category, you will not receive any
commercial communications in the form of voice calls.


5. How to register?

For registering option using SMS, for 'fully blocked category', write "START 0" and send it to 1909. For 'partially blocked category', send SMS 'START' with one or multiple options from the list of seven categories.

There are at present 7 preferences to choose from- Banking/Insurance/Financial Products/Credit Cards-1, Real Estate-2, Education-3, Health-4, Consumer goods and automobiles-5, Communication/Broadcasting/Entertainment/IT-6, Tourism-7.

For example: To receive messages relating to only Health products, then send SMS "START 4" to 1909. Similarly, for receiving messages relating to Real Estate and Education, send SMS "START 2,3" to 1909.

On successful registration, customer will receive an SMS confirming exercised options and a Unique Registration Number within 24 hrs. The registration will be effective within 7 days of placing the request with the service provider. The customers can check the status of their registration by clicking on "Customer Registration Status".

Customer can also change the preferences after 7 days of registration or the last change of preference.

If customer receives UCC even after 7 days of registration, he can register a complaint with his service provider within 3 days of receipt of such UCC by dialing or sending SMS to 1909. Customers will have to provide the telephone number or header of the message from where the call or message has been received, short description of such call or message along with the date of receipt of call or message.

For complaint through SMS, customer has to send SMS "the unsolicited commercial communication, XXXXXXXXXX, dd/mm/yy" to 1909. Where XXXXXXXXXX - is the telephone number or header of the SMS, from which the UCC has originated.The telephone number or header and the date of receipt of the unsolicited commercial SMS may be appended with such SMS, while forwarding to 1909, with or without space after comma.

Service Provider will take action on complaint and inform the complainant within 7 days of lodging of complaint. Customers may check registration status of his complaint through the link "UCC Complaint Registration Status".

Customers not registered with NCPR can also identify the commercial calls because they will all come from numbers starting with '140'. This is a series specially earmarked for telemarketers.

Also, in order to control the possibility of SMS packages (those allow a very large number of SMS per day) to be used by the telemarketers for sending large number of SMSs from a normal telephone number, a limit of 100 SMS per day per SIM has been laid down under these regulations except on blackout days.

Further, all commercial calls or SMS except the transactional SMSs will be sent to the customers only between 9 AM and 9 PM.

6. Once you have registered, you should get, subject to the correctness of
your request, a unique registration number by SMS within 24 hours of
registration. Please keep this number carefully as this will serve as a
reference for your registration of preference.
7. Your request for registration on the National Customer Preference
Register will be given effect to in 7 days counted from the date of request
for such registration to the access provider.
8. If you are already registered in the National Do Not Call Registry
(NDNC) you do not have to re-register; your registration will continue
under the ‘Fully Blocked’ category.
9. You may make a change in your preference at any point of time after
expiry of three months from the date of registration or three months from
the date of last change request. The service provider will confirm the
registration of such a request within 24 hours to you through SMS,
subject to the correctness of request. In case of errors in request, access
provider will advise you to make a fresh request.
10. You may make a request for withdrawal of your registration from
National Customer Preference Register, at any time after expiry of three
months from the date of registration. The service provider will delete your
number from the Provider Customer Preference Register inform you of
the withdrawal of your registration through SMS within 24 hours,
subject to correctness of such request.


11. No amount shall be charged from you for registration or change of
preference or de-registration.
12. In case you receive an unsolicited commercial communication after
expiry of seven days from the date of your registration in the Provider
Customer Preference Register, you may make a complaint to your Access
Provider, through voice call or SMS. The complaint has to be registered
from the telephone number on which the unsolicited commercial
communication has been received. Your complaint should be made
within three days of receipt of the unsolicited commercial
communication.
13. In such complaints, please mention the particulars of the telemarketer,
the telephone number from which the unsolicited commercial
communication has originated, the date, time in 24 hrs format and brief
description of such unsolicited commercial communication.
14. The customer complaint registration facility is toll free and telephone
number for the same is 1909. The complaint will be acknowledged with a
unique complaint number provided by access provider immediately.
15. The access provider shall take appropriate action on the complaint and
inform you about its resolution within seven days, subject to the
correctness of the complaint.
16. Detailed procedure to register the preference in National Customer
Preference Register, change in registered preference, de-registration and
registration of complaint is given on website www.nccptrai.gov.in, tab
‘Information to customers’.


11. No amount shall be charged from you for registration or change of
preference or de-registration.
12. In case you receive an unsolicited commercial communication after
expiry of seven days from the date of your registration in the Provider
Customer Preference Register, you may make a complaint to your Access
Provider, through voice call or SMS. The complaint has to be registered
from the telephone number on which the unsolicited commercial
communication has been received. Your complaint should be made
within three days of receipt of the unsolicited commercial
communication.
13. In such complaints, please mention the particulars of the telemarketer,
the telephone number from which the unsolicited commercial
communication has originated, the date, time in 24 hrs format and brief
description of such unsolicited commercial communication.
14. The customer complaint registration facility is toll free and telephone
number for the same is 1909. The complaint will be acknowledged with a
unique complaint number provided by access provider immediately.
15. The access provider shall take appropriate action on the complaint and
inform you about its resolution within seven days, subject to the
correctness of the complaint.
16. Detailed procedure to register the preference in National Customer
Preference Register, change in registered preference, de-registration and
registration of complaint is given on website www.nccptrai.gov.in, tab
‘Information to customers’.


5. You will get an SMS confirming the preferences exercised by you along
with unique number for change request in preference.
A2. CHANGE OF PREFERENCE THROUGH INTERACTIVE VOICE
RESPONSE SYSTEM (IVRS)
1. Call the toll free number 1909 and select option to change preference
through the IVRS.
2. The IVRS will prompt you about the categories/subjects available for
change of preference.
3. Choose your new options from the available categories/subjects by
following the IVRS instructions, which will be confirmed by the IVRS.
4. You will get an SMS confirming the preferences exercised by you along
with unique number for change request in preference.
B. PROCEDURE FOR CHANGE OF PREFERENCE THROUGH SMS
1. You can change your preference i.e. stop your earlier options or add new
options to the already exercised preferences for commercial
communications, by sending an SMS on 1909 in a specified format.
2. For stopping the existing options, send the SMS “STOP <OPTION>”
3. For adding a new option to the already existing preferences, send SMS
“START <OPTION>” which you want to add.


Illustration:
A customer with an existing option of 2 (Real Estate) and 3
(Education) who wants to opt out of 2 and add 4 (Health) will send an SMS
as under:
 “STOP 2” for opting out from SMS relating to Real Estate and
 “START 4” for opting to receive SMS relating to Health
4. For opting for the fully blocked category send SMS “START 0”.
5. On receipt of option exercised through SMS, the access provider will send
an SMS to confirm the options exercised.
6. You have to send a confirmation SMS so that options exercised are
implemented.
7. On getting a confirmation SMS, the access provider will change your
preference and send an SMS indicating your preferences along with the
unique number for change request of your preference.
Note: Some of the access providers have also provided a link on their
websites through which customers can register their preferences.
Details of the access providers who provide the facility of web based
registration are given in the Table below:
Sl no Access provider Website details
1 Aircel http://www.aircel.com
2 Bharti Airtel http://www.airtel.in/
3 BSNL http://www.bsnl.co.in

4 HFCL http://www.hfclconnect.com
5 IDEA http://www.ideacellular.com
6 Loop Mobile http://www.bplmobile.com
7 MTNL Delhi http://www.mtnldelhi.in
8 MTNL Mumbai http://mumbai.mtnl.net.in
9 Reliance Communication http://www.rcom.co.in
10 Reliance Telecom http://www.reliancemobile.com
11 Shyam http://www.hellorainbow.com
12 Spice Punjab http://spiceindia.com
13 Spice Karnatka http://spicetele.com
14 TATA http://tataindicom.com
15 Unitech http://www.uninor.in
16 Videocon http://www.videocon.com
17 Vodafone http://www.vodafone.in


HOW TO DE-REGISTER FROM THE NATIONAL CUSTOMER PREFERENCE
REGISTER (NCPR)
You may de-register yourself from the NCPR using either a voice call on 1909
or through SMS. You will start receiving commercial communications on your
telephone after de-registration.
A. DEREGISTERATION BY DIALING 1909
1. Dial 1909, listen to the instructions and choose one of the following to
deregister:
 Through Customer care executive
 Through IVRS(Interactive Voice Response System)
A1. DEREGISTRATION THROUGH CUSTOMER CARE EXECUTIVE:
1. Call the toll free number 1909 and select to de-register through customer
care executive.
2. Ask the customer care executive to deregister you from NCPR.
3. The customer care executive will accept the request and confirm the same.
4. You will also get an SMS confirming your deregistration.
A2. DEREGISTRATION THROUGH INTERACTIVE VOICE RESPONSE
SYSTEM (IVRS)
1. Call the toll free number 1909 and select to de-register through the IVRS.
2. Follow the instructions of the IVRS to get deregistered. The IVRS will
confirm your selection to get deregistered.
3. You will get a SMS confirming your deregistration.
B. DE-REGISTRATION OF PREFERENCE THROUGH SMS
1. Send SMS “STOP” to 1909.
2. You will get a SMS informing you of your deregistration request and
seeking your confirmation through SMS.
3. Send SMS confirming your request.

4. On receipt of confirmation, the Access Provider will again send a SMS
confirming your de-registration.




FAQ


FAQs: The National Customer Call Preference Registry

1. What is meant by Commercial Communication?

“Commercial Communication” means any message, voice or SMS, made
through telecommunications service, which is transmitted for the
purpose of informing about, or soliciting or promoting any commercial
transaction in relation to goods, investment or services.

2. What is Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC)?
“Unsolicited Commercial Communication” means any commercial
communication which a subscriber opts not to receive but does not include,
(i) any transactional message; or
(ii) any message transmitted on the directions of central Government
or State Government or agencies authorized by it

3. Which messages are categorized as Transactional Messages?
“Transactional message” means an SMS containing only—
(i) information sent to its customer(s) by the Bank or financial
institution or insurance company or credit card company or Access
Provider pertaining to the account of that customer(s);
(ii) information given by Airlines or Indian Railways or its authorised
agencies to its passengers regarding travel schedules, ticket
booking and reservation;
(iii) information from a registered educational institution to parents or
guardians of its students;
(iv) any other message as may be specified by the Authority, from time
to time as “Transactional message”
 4. Which messages are categorized as Promotional Messages?

“Promotional message” means message containing promotional material
or advertisement of a product or service.

5. What is the Provider Customer Preference Register?

“Provider Customer Preference Register” means a data base maintained
by an Access Provider containing telephone numbers and other details of
its subscribers who have registered their preference regarding
commercial communications.

6. What is the National Customer Preference Register (NCPR)?

“National Customer Preference Register” means a national data base
containing a list of the telephone numbers of all subscribers who have
registered their preferences regarding receipt of commercial
communications.

7. What is National Telemarketers Register?

“National Telemarketers Register” means a national data base containing
details of telemarketers registered with the Authority.

8. Who is a Telemarketer?

“Telemarketer” means a person or legal entity engaged in the activity of
transmission of commercial communications.

9. What is meant by ‘Fully Blocked’ Category?
 “Fully blocked” means stoppage of all types of commercial
communication.
10. What is meant by ‘Partially Blocked Category?

“Partially blocked” means stoppage of all commercial communications,
except SMS in respect of category or categories of preference indicated by
the subscriber.

11. What are the different preferences available to a customer in
partially blocked category?
 Following preferences under partially blocked categories are available to
a customer:
(1) Banking/Insurance/Financial products/credit cards,
(2) Real Estate,
(3) Education,
(4) Health,
(5) Consumer goods and automobiles,
(6) Communication/Broadcasting/Entertainment/IT,
(7) Tourism and Leisure.

12. What is Customer Preference Registration Facility?

“Customer Preference Registration Facility” means the facility established
by an Access Provider, for the purpose of registration or de-registration of
the preference of its subscribers in respect of receipt of commercial
communications.

13. What is the procedure for registration in NCPR?

You can register your preference(s) in NCPR by dialing 1909 or by
sending SMS to 1909. For detailed procedure visit the website
www.nccptrai.gov.in and click „How to register‟ under tab „Information for
customers‟.
14. Can I change my preference once chosen?

Yes. Any subscriber may, at any time after expiry of three months from
the date of registration or three months from the date of registration or
last change of his request can change his preference. For detailed
procedure visit the website www.nccptrai.gov.in and click „How to change
Preference‟ under tab „Information for customers‟.

15. I have already registered my telephone number in earlier NDNC
registry. Do I need to register again?

No. A subscriber who is already registered in the National Do Not Call
Registry (NDNC) is not required to re-register and his said registration
will be valid under the „fully blocked‟ category.

16. Can I make a complaint if I get a commercial call/SMS even after
registering my number in fully blocked category?

Yes. In case any subscriber receives unsolicited commercial communication
after expiry of seven days from the date of his registration in the Provider
Customer Preference Register, he may make a complaint to his Access
Provider

17. Can I make a complaint if I get a SMS from the partially blocked
category when I have not opted for it?

Yes.

18. What is the procedure of making a complaint?
 You can make a complaint to your Access Provider, through voice call or
SMS, mentioning therein the particulars of telemarketer, the telephone
number from which the unsolicited commercial communication has
originated, the date, time and brief description of such unsolicited
commercial communication. For detailed procedure visit the website
www.nccptrai.gov.in and click „How to register complaint‟ under tab
„Information for customers‟.

19. Will I get any feedback on my complaint?
Yes, you will get feedback on your complaint within 7 days of making
such complaint.

20. What if I change my mind? Can I take my number off the National
Customer Call Preference Registry?

Yes. Any subscriber may, at any time, after expiry of three months from the
date of registration, request the Access Provider, for withdrawal of his
registration. For detailed procedure visit the website www.nccptrai.gov.in
and click „How to de-register‟ under tab „Information for customers‟.

21. My number is on the fully blocked category of NCPR. Can my access
provider send me promotional messages for third party services
provided by him?

 No.

22. I have more than one personal telephone number. Do I have to
register all of those numbers?

Yes, if you don‟t want to receive commercial communications on these
numbers.


 23. How long does my phone number stay registered?

Your telephone number will remain registered with NCPR unless you
prefer to withdraw the same from NCPR.

24. I moved and got a new phone number. Do I need to register the new
number?

Yes. You have to register your new number separately.

25. Do I need to take my old phone number off the list when I get a new
number?

No, if you don‟t want to receive commercial communication on your old
number also.

26. Can I register all my family and friends?

One should register his telephone numbers only for not receiving
commercial communications. All such request will be registered from the
same number on which such commercial calls have to be fully/ partially
bared.

27. Can I identify the telemarketing calls even when I am not registered
with NCPR?
All Telemarketers have been allocated 10 digit number of 70XXXXXXXX
number series. Therefore, you can identify the telemarketing call even if
you are not registered with NCPR.
28. Can I stop Commercial calls and SMS from 9.00 PM to 9.00 AM?
As per regulations, no telemarketing (Voice Call or SMS) is permitted
between 9.00 PM to 9.00 AM.

29. What is meant by Access Providers?
“Access Providers” includes the Basic Telephone Service Provider,
Cellular Mobile Telephone Service Provider and Unified Access Service
Provider.

30. Who is an Originating Access Provider?
“Originating Access Provider” means the Access Provider who has
provided the telecom resources to a telemarketer.

31. Who is a Terminating Access Provider?
“Terminating Access Provider” means the Access Provider on whose
network the subscriber receiving the commercial communication is
registered.

32. What is meant by Area Code?
“Area code” means any number earmarked or allotted to a specific short
distance charging area in the National Numbering Plan for accessing the
telephone in such area.
33. What is the National Numbering Plan?
“National Numbering Plan” means the National Numbering Plan 2003
made by the Central Government or any such plan, as may be made by
the Central Government from time to time.

34. What is meant by Header?
“Header” means alpha numeric identifier of commercial and
transactional SMS.
 35. What are the different types of headers?
(i) Header for promotional message

XY-NZZZZZ

where X stands for the code allotted to the Access provider;
 Y stands for the service area ;
 N is the serial number (1-7) of partially blocked category;
ZZZZZ indicates five digits allocated to particular telemarketer by
an access Provider.

(ii) Header for transactional message

XY-ZZZZZZ

where X stands for the code allotted to the Access provider;
 Y stands for the service area;
 ZZZZZZ indicates six alphabets for company or organization
sending transactional SMS


36. What do you mean by Basic Telephone Service Providers?

“Basic Telephone Service Provider” means a service provider who has
been granted license under section 4 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885
(13 of 1885) to establish, install, operate and maintain Basic Telephone
Service in the specified service area.

37. What is meant by Basic Telephone Service?

“Basic Telephone Service” covers collection, carriage, transmission and
delivery of voice or non-voice messages over licensee‟s Public Switched
Telephone Network in the licensed service area and includes provision of
all types of services except for those requiring a separate licence.
38. What do you mean by Cellular Mobile Telephone Service
Providers?

“Cellular Mobile Telephone Service Provider” means a licensee authorized
to provide Cellular Mobile Telephone Service under a licence granted
under section 4 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 (13 of 1885), in a
specified service area.

39. What is meant by Cellular Mobile Telephone Service?

“Cellular Mobile Telephone Service”,--
(i) means telecommunication service provided by means of a
telecommunication system for the conveyance of messages through
the agency of wireless telegraphy where every message that is
conveyed thereby has been, or is to be, conveyed by means of a
telecommunication system which is designed or adapted to be
capable of being used while in motion;
(ii) refers to transmission of voice or non-voice messages over
Licensee‟s Network in real time only but service does not cover
broadcasting of any messages, voice or non-voice; however, Cell
Broadcast is permitted only to the subscribers of the service;
(iii) in respect of which the subscriber (all types, pre-paid as well as
post-paid) has to be registered and authenticated at the network
point of registration and approved numbering plan shall be
applicable.
40. What is meant by Unified Access Service?
“Unified Access Services”, (i) means telecommunication service provided by means of a
telecommunication system for the conveyance of messages through
the agency of wired or wireless telegraphy;
(ii) refers to transmission of voice or non-voice messages over
licensee‟s network in real time only but service does not cover
broadcasting of any messages, voice or non-voice, however, Cell
Broadcast is permitted only to the subscribers of the service;
(iii) in respect of which the subscriber (all types, pre-paid as well as
post-paid) has to be registered and authenticated at the network
point of registration and approved numbering plan shall be
applicable.




1
HOW TO REGISTER YOUR PREFERENCE FOR RECEIVING COMMERCIAL 
COMMUNICATIONS
1. As a telecom customer, you have the option to either block all commercial
calls and SMS or to block only commercial calls while receiving SMSs of
your choice. For this purpose, you have to register your preference.
2. You can register your preferences for receiving commercial communications
by:
A. Dialing toll free number 1909; or
B. Sending SMS to 1909
3. When you dial the toll free number 1909, you will be prompted to register
either through the customer care executive or through the Interactive Voice
Response System (IVRS).
4. You can register for the Fully Blocked category in which NO COMMERCIAL
CALL OR SMS will be allowed or for the Partially Blocked category. If you
opt for the Partially Blocked category, you WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY
COMMERCIAL CALL BUT WILL RECEIVE SMS ON SUBJECT(S) THAT
YOU OPT FOR.
A. PROCEDURE FOR REGISTRATION OF PREFERENCE BY DIALING 1909
1. Dial 1909, listen to the instructions and choose one of the following for
registration of preference:
 Through customer care executive
 Through IVRS (Interactive Voice Response System)
A 1. REGISTRATION OF PREFERENCE THROUGH CUSTOMER CARE
EXECUTIVE:
1. Ask the customer care executive for registration of your preference i.e.
whether you would like to register in the fully blocked category or the
partially blocked category.2
a. Fully Blocked Category (No Call & No SMS)
or
b. Partially Blocked Category (No Calls; SMS on selected subjects)
2. If you opt for the fully blocked category, the customer care executive will
record your preference in the Providers Customer Preference Register
(PCPR) and will inform you of the same through SMS indicating your
unique registration number.
3. If you opt for the partially blocked category, the executive will inform you
of the various subjects available as per the list given below:
1. Banking/Insurance/Financial products/credit cards,
2. Real Estate,
3. Education,
4. Health,
5. Consumer goods and automobiles,
6. Communication/Broadcasting/Entertainment/IT,
7. Tourism and Leisure.
4. The customer care executive will ask you to exercise your
preference(s).You can opt for one, or a combination of some, or all the
subjects.
5. The customer care executive will confirm your preference(s) and register
the same in the Provider Customer Preference Register.
6. You will get an SMS confirming the preferences exercised by you along
with your unique registration number.
A 2. REGISTRATION OF PREFERENCE THROUGH INTERACTIVE VOICE
RESPONSE SYSTEM (IVRS):
1. After calling the toll free number 1909 and selecting the option to register
through IVRS, follow the instructions prompted by the IVRS.3
2. The IVRS will prompt you about the categories available for registration of
customers’ preference i.e. the fully blocked category or the partially
blocked category.
a. Fully Blocked Category (No Call & No SMS)
or
b. Partially Blocked Category (No calls; SMS on selected subjects).
3. If you opt for the fully blocked category, your preference will be recorded in
the Providers Customer Preference Register (PCPR) and you will be
informed of the same through SMS, indicating your unique registration
number.
4. If you opt for the partially blocked category, the IVRS will prompt you to
opt for one or more of the following subjects on which you wish to receive
SMS:
1. Banking/Insurance/Financial products/credit cards,
2. Real Estate,
3. Education,
4. Health,
5. Consumer goods and automobiles,
6. Communication/Broadcasting/Entertainment/IT,
7. Tourism and Leisure.
You can opt for one, or a combination of some, or all the subjects.
5. Your selected preference(s) will be confirmed by the IVRS.
6. You will get an SMS confirming the preferences exercised by you along
with your unique registration number.
B. REGISTRATION OF PREFERENCE THROUGH SMS
1. You can register your preference(s) for commercial communications by
sending an SMS to 1909. 4
2. The procedure for opting for various categories/subjects is given below:
I. To opt for the fully blocked category, send SMS “START 0” to 1909.
II. To opt for the partially blocked category, send SMS “Start <option>”
to 1909 as given below:
 “START 1” for receiving SMS relating to Banking/ Insurance /
Financial products/Credit cards
 “START 2” for receiving SMS relating to Real Estate
 “START 3” for receiving SMS relating to Education
 “START 4” for receiving SMS relating to Health
 “START 5” for receiving SMS relating to Consumer goods and
automobiles
 “START 6” for receiving SMS relating to Communication /
Broadcasting / Entertainment /IT,
 “START 7” for receiving SMS relating to Tourism and Leisure
Note 1: To opt for multiple preferences from categories send SMS “Start
<option1, option2, option3,…>” to 1909. For example for receiving
commercial SMSs from Banking/Insurance/Financial
products/Credit cards and Real Estate, send SMS in the format
“START 1, 2”.
Note 2: Preference ‘0’ will always suppress other preferences. If ‘0’ is sent
with along any other customer preferences, it will be treated as a fully 5
blocked preference. For example, “START “0,2,3”, will be considered a
fully blocked option.
3. On receipt of an option exercised through SMS, the access provider will
send an SMS to confirm the options exercised.
4. You have to send a confirmation SMS so that options exercised are
implemented.
5. On getting the confirmation SMS, the Access Provider will register your
preference and send you an SMS indicating your preferences along with
your unique registration number.
Note: Some of the Access Providers have also provided a link on their
websites through which customers can register their preferences.
Details of Access providers providing the facility of web based
registration are given in the Table below:
Sl no Access provider Website details
1 Aircel http://www.aircel.com
2 Bharti Airtel http://www.airtel.in/
3 BSNL http://www.bsnl.co.in
4 HFCL http://www.hfclconnect.com
5 IDEA http://www.ideacellular.com
6 Loop Mobile http://www.bplmobile.com
7 MTNL Delhi http://www.mtnldelhi.in
8 MTNL Mumbai http://mumbai.mtnl.net.in
9 Reliance Communication http://www.rcom.co.in
10 Reliance Telecom http://www.reliancemobile.com
11 Shyam http://www.hellorainbow.com
12 Spice Punjab http://spiceindia.com
13 Spice Karnatka http://spicetele.com
14 TATA http://tataindicom.com
15 Unitech http://www.uninor.in
16 Videocon http://www.videocon.com
17 Vodafone http://www.vodafone.inREGISTRATION OF PREFERENCE BY DIALING 1909
Registration Through Customer
Care Executive
Call the toll free number
choose the option to talk
customer care executive
The executive informs the
about available preference(s)
details, if needed.
Please opt for your preference(s)
customer care executive. Itmay
• Fully Blocked (No call &No
• Partially Blocked
In case of Partially blocked
please specify the subject(s)
you are interested in receiving
The customer care executive
and confirms the preference(s)
You will get an SMS confirming
preferences exercised by you
unique registration number.
In case of any change in
category/ subjects please
customer care executive.
6
REGISTRATION OF PREFERENCE BY DIALING 1909
Registration Through Customer
Care Executive
number 1909 and
talk to the
the customer
preference(s). Ask the
preference(s) to
may be :
No SMS)
blocked option
subject(s) on which
receiving SMS.
executive registers
preference(s).
confirming the
you along with
in registered
contact the
Registration Through Interactive
Voice Response System (IVRS)
Call the toll free number
choose the option to register
IVRS.
IVRS will prompt the
regarding available preference(s)
Follow the instruction prompt
for opting for your preference(s)
be :
Fully Blocked (No call & No SMS)
Partially Blocked
In case of Partially blocked option
please specify the subject(s) on which
you are interested in receiving SMS.
Selected preference(s) will be
confirmed by the IVRS.
You will get an SMS confirming
preferences exercised by you
unique registration number.
In case of any changes in
category/ categories please
procedure .
REGISTRATION OF PREFERENCE BY DIALING 1909
Registration Through Interactive
Voice Response System (IVRS)
number 1909 and
register through
the customer
preference(s)
prompt by IVRS
preference(s).It may
SMS)
In case of Partially blocked option
please specify the subject(s) on which
you are interested in receiving SMS.
Selected preference(s) will be
confirmed by the IVRS.
confirming the
you along with
in registered
please repeat the

India Telecom Statistics

TELECOM REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF INDIA

New Delhi, 12th December 2012

(www.trai.gov.in)

Highlights on Telecom Subscription Data as on 31st October 2012

Particulars	Wireless	Wireline	TotalWireless+Wireline
TotalSubscribers(Millions)	904.23	30.95	935.18
TotalNetMonthlyAddition(Millions)	-2.39	-0.14	-2.52
MonthlyGrowth(%)	-0.26%	-0.44%	-0.27%
UrbanSubscribers(Millions)	566.81	23.92	590.73
UrbanSubscribersNetMonthlyAddition(Millions)	-4.88	-0.07	-4.95
MonthlyGrowth(%)	-0.85%	-0.29%	-0.83%
RuralSubscribers(Millions)	337.42	7.03	344.45
RuralSubscribersNetMonthlyAddition(Millions)	2.5	-0.07	2.43
MonthlyGrowth(%)	0.75%	-0.92%	0.71%
OverallTeledensity*	74.21	2.54	76.75
UrbanTeledensity*	153.06	6.46	159.52
RuralTeledensity*	39.78	0.83	40.61
ShareofUrbanSubscribers	62.68%	77.29%	63.17%
ShareofRuralSubscribers	37.32%	22.71%	36.83%

 Mobile Number Portability requests increased from 69.78 million subscribers at the end of September 2012 to 75.14 million at the end of October 2012. In the month of October 2012 alone, 5.36 million requests

have been made for MNP.

 Active wireless subscribers on the date of Peak VLR in October 2012 are 703.92 Million, 77.85% of the total subscribers.

Broadband subscription reached 14.81 million in October 2012 from 14.68 million in September 2012. 

* Based on the population projections from Census data published by the Office of Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India.

I. Total Telephone Subscribers

· The number of telephone subscribers in India decreased to 935.18 million at the end of October, 2012 from 937.70 million at the end of September 2012, thereby registering a monthly growth rate of -0.27%. The share of urban subscribers has declined to 63.17% from 63.53% whereas share of rural subscribers has increased to 36.83% in the month of October 2012. With this, the overall Teledensity in India reached 76.75 at the end of October, 2012 from 77.04 of

the previous month.

· Subscription in the urban areas decreased from 595.69 million in September, 2012 to 590.73 million at the end of October, 2012. Subscription in rural areas increased from 342.01 million to 344.45 million during the same period. The monthly growth rate of urban and rural subscription is -0.83% and 0.71% respectively. The overall urban Teledensity has decreased from 161.13 to 159.52 and Rural Teledensity increased from 40.36 to 40.61.

II. Wireless Segment (GSM, CDMA & FWP)

· Total wireless subscriber base decreased from 906.62 million in September 2012 to 904.23 million at the end of October 2012, registering a monthly growth of -0.26%. This decline is due to large scale disconnections by some of the service providers. The share of urban wireless subscribers has decreased from 63.06 % to 62.68% where as share of rural wireless subscribers has increased from 36.94% to 37.32%. The overall wireless

Teledensity in India has reached 74.21.

• Wireless subscription in urban areas decreased from 571.70 million in September 2012 to 566.81 million at the end of Octoberber 2012. The wireless subscription in rural areas increased from 334.92 million to 337.42 million during the same period. The urban wireless Teledensity has decreased from 154.64 to 153.06 and rural Teledensity has increased from 39.52 to 39.785

• Private operators hold 88.36% of the wireless market share (based on subscriber base) where as BSNL and MTNL, the two PSU operators hold only 11.64% market share. 

VII. Broadband (≥ 256 Kbps download)

Total Broadband subscriber base has increased from 14.68^ million at the end of September 2012 to 14.81^ million at the end of October 2012, there by showing a monthly growth of 0.89%. Yearly growth in broadband subscribers is 14.10% during the last one year (October 2011 to October 2012).

As on 31st October 2012, there are 157 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) which are providing broadband services in the country. Out of this only 113 ISPs have provided data for the month of October 2012, for the rest of the ISPs data from previous month has been retained (Data from top 10 ISPs, which constitute 92.6% of the total subscriber base, have been received for the month of October 2012). Top five ISPs in terms of market share (based on subscriber base) are: BSNL (9.69 million), Bharti Airtel (1.39 million), MTNL (1.08 million), Hathway (0.37 million) and Tikona (0.30 million).

^ Hotspot users of M/s YOU Broadband have been excluded from Broadband Subscriber Base figures for the month of July 2012 and onwards. These users are akin to cybercafé users who access the internet through Wi-Fi hotspots at public places for short durations.

The Standards of Quality of Service for Wireless Data Services Regulations, 2012

New Delhi, 4th December, 2012: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of
India(TRAI) has today released “The Standards of Quality of Service for Wireless
Data Services Regulations, 2012”.


 TRAI had mandated every Cellular Mobile
Telephone Service provider or Unified Access Services provider to set up a test
set up comprising of servers and test probes to cover the entire geographical
area of coverage of different data services in the licensed service area. The
service providers are required to meet the Quality of Service benchmarks for
the wireless data services in respect of parameter such as:
(a) Provision or activation of Data Services,
(b) Successful data transmission download/upload attempts from a test server,
(c) Minimum download speed from a test server covering all tariff plans,
(d) Average Throughput for Packet data from a test server for all tariff plans,
(e) Latency for data services from a test server,
(f) PDP Context Activation Success Rate,
(g) Data Drop rate.
3.It has also been mandated that service providershave to publish at its website,
the details of all data services offered, along with their tariff, clearly indicating
the cities and towns where such data services and tariff plans are applicable.
The service providers shall not offer new data services or modifythe

TRAI Regulations on Commercial Calls/SMS

 TRAI!

The Indian telecom Industry with nearly 900 million subscribers is the second largest wireless market in the world. Low tariffs and direct reach to consumers has made SMS and direct calling one of the most cost effective ways of selling services and products. However, telemarketing has brought with it serious issues of invasion of privacy and has become a major irritant to customers.
To holistically curb this growing menace and effectively regulate unsolicited commercial Calls and messages.

Customers- Customers (landline and mobile) who do not want to receive commercial communications can dial or SMS to 1909 (toll free) and register in either of the two categories:

Fully Blocked Category- stoppage of all commercial Calls/SMS
Partially Blocked Category- stoppage of all commercial Calls/SMS except SMS from one of the opted preferences

For registering option using SMS, for 'fully blocked category', write "START 0" and send it to 1909. For 'partially blocked category', send SMS 'START' with one or multiple options from the list of seven categories.
There are at present 7 preferences to choose from- Banking/Insurance/Financial Products/Credit Cards-1, Real Estate-2, Education-3, Health-4, Consumer goods and automobiles-5, Communication/Broadcasting/Entertainment/IT-6, Tourism-7.
For example: To receive messages relating to only Health products, then send SMS "START 4" to 1909. Similarly, for receiving messages relating to Real Estate and Education, send SMS "START 2,3" to 1909.
On successful registration, customer will receive an SMS confirming exercised options and a Unique Registration Number within 24 hrs. The registration will be effective within 7 days of placing the request with the service provider. The customers can check the status of their registration by clicking on "Customer Registration Status".
Customer can also change the preferences after 7 days of registration or the last change of preference.
If customer receives UCC even after 7 days of registration, he can register a complaint with his service provider within 3 days of receipt of such UCC by dialing or sending SMS to 1909. Customers will have to provide the telephone number or header of the message from where the call or message has been received, short description of such call or message along with the date and time.
For complaint through SMS, customer has to send SMS "COMP TEL NO XXXXXXXXXX;dd/mm/yy;Time in hh:mm; short description of Unsolicited Commercial Communication" to 1909. Where XXXXXXXXXX - is the telephone number or header of the SMS, from which the UCC has originated.
Service Provider will take action on complaint and inform the complainant within 7 days of lodging of complaint. Customers may check registration status of his complaint through the link "UCC Complaint Registration Status".
Customers not registered with NCPR can also identify the commercial calls because they will all come from numbers starting with '140'. This is a series specially earmarked for telemarketers.
Also, in order to control the possibility of SMS packages (those allow a very large number of SMS per day) to be used by the telemarketers for sending large number of SMSs from a normal telephone number, a limit of 100 SMS per day per SIM has been laid down under these regulations except on blackout days.
Further, all commercial calls or SMS except the transactional SMSs will be sent to the customers only between 9 AM and 9 PM.
Telemarketers-  Existing telemarketers also have to re-register with TRAI. To register as telemarketer, click the link "New Telemarketer Registration" and follow the instructions. Payment of registration fee can be made through online mode (credit card/debit card/Internet Banking) or offline mode (cash or DD). Registered telemarketers can download the data base of customers registered on NCPR through this portal using their login credentials and it shall be their responsibility to ensure that no call for SMS is made to such numbers.

For more details visit http://www.nccptrai.gov.in