TEMA Supports TRAI on 100 % freeze on UCC and Protect Customers Privacy

Telecom Equipment Manufacturing Association (TEMA) is concerned with the plight of mobile users, suffering from the Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC) and supports TRAI's initiative on the issue.

TEMA demands a 100 % freeze on UCC for wanted / Unwanted customers. We urge TRAI, TSP's, ISP's and telemarketers to plan and implement a solution jointly to curb this menace of pesky calls. Due to increased dependence of mobile phones during the pandemic, phishing and cybercrime calls have increased. Mobile customers are feeling helpless.

Recently One97 (Paytm) has approached Hon. Court to seek relief from pesky calls, messages, and phishing attempts. On July 14, 2020, Hon. Court has asked TRAI to submit action taken report on registration of telemarketers and other related issues.

Shri Ravi Sharma, Chairman TEMA said, "It is high time that the nuisance of pesky calls is removed for Indian consumers. Technology and regulations today are enough to prevent such practice".

Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC) and SMS is a problem in every country that has high mobile penetration. Globally this problem has been well managed by coordination between the regulator and other stakeholders.

In India, too, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a policy of "Do not Call Registry." As per the order, telecom service providers need to ensure that if a subscriber does not wish to receive, commercial calls and has registered for the same must not get UCC. 

The order is also clear that UCC should not be made to unwilling customers from registered telemarketers. Non-registered telemarketers are not to be allowed to send any UCC to any customer. 

In the year 2016, TRAI launched a mobile app to register DND requests and also to file a complaint if an unwilling customer gets UCC. Unfortunately, UCC is only on the increase.

Prof NK Goyal, Chairman Emeritus TEMA said "Now in the days when data privacy is given the highest priority, there is no way unsolicited calls should disturb mobile users. This practice is almost non-existent in case of fixed calls."