Pesky calls, SMSes stop, TRAI proposes levy on commercial SMSes

The proposed directive will make it mandatory for all operators to charge termination fee for commercial SMSes, at least

PTI | September 27, 2011



Telecom users today got the much-awaited relief from unsolicited commercial calls and SMSes as the new regulation came into force.

Telecom regulator Trai today said it is also planning to impose five paise termination charge per SMS from October 15 on service providers on whose network commercial SMSes originate, to make it further difficult for those who broadcast millions of SMSes in a day.

"We are actively considering and we are likely to issue a regulation by October 15 to impose five paise termination charge on commercial SMS, and not on general SMS," Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) Chairman J S Sarma said at an event here.

Some operators charge up to 15 paise per SMS as termination fee on mutual agreements but it is not mandatory.

The proposed Trai directive will make it mandatory for all operators to charge termination fee for commercial SMSes, at least.

On Trai's recommendation of limiting 100 SMSes per day per SIM, Sarma said service providers such as dealers of telecom operators, e-ticketing agencies and social networking sites have been exempted from the regulation.

"We have issued a direction exempting certain categories from limitation of 100 SMSes per day. If genuine cases come to us, we will accept their request and exempt from some clauses.

People need to inform us," Sarma said.

He added that on festival days there will be no limitation on the number of SMSes that can be send out from a single SIM.

Meanwhile, the government today launched the 'Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulation', giving people across the country respite from pesky calls and SMS.

Comments

 

Other News

India reaffirms commitment to climate multilateralism

India has reaffirmed its commitment to climate multilateralism and the principles of Equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), calling for a fair, equitable and ambitious outcome at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framewo

How the mind can help the body heal itself

Why do some people recover from illness against all odds? Can our beliefs, emotions and consciousness influence the body’s ability to heal? Drawing on over three decades of experience in medicine, research and medical innovation, internationally trained ophthalmologist and author Dr Dinesh Verma ex

1,364 anti-cancer formulations to cost less from today

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, has capped trade margins on the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of 137 anti-cancer drugs. This was based on the recommendations of an Expert Committee constitute

Who checks the books?

I read about the news about the Coimbatore library over coffee this morning. On the face of it, the headline was about a political ‘war’ between the DMK and TVK. But what stayed with me was something much more important than the blame game behind what had transpired. A writer walking through

Development paradox: Falling poverty miracle and an inequality problem

India’s reduction in poverty over the past decade is a development achievement of considerable significance. The World Bank’s April 2026 ‘India Development Update’ estimates that the share of Indians living below the international extreme-poverty line of $3.00 per person per day i

In Arunachal, a river we call mother

In Arunachal Pradesh, the Siang is not just a river. For many of us, especially the Adi people, it is part of our family. Our grandparents fished in it. Children learned to swim in it. Our farms drink from it. When someone says a huge dam will be built on it, we do not hear the word "project".

Upcoming Conferences



-->

Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter