Archive · 23 Sep 2025
India Debates Spam Call Crackdown and Telemarketer Regulations
Dealing with spam calls and messages is tough.
The government is thinking about making telemarketers, who send these messages, get a license.
The DoT wants this, but the TRAI is unsure.
Right now, telecom companies have to deal with complaints.
But, most people haven't signed up to stop the calls.
Companies want telemarketers and brands to be punished, not them.
It's a slow process, and a new system won't happen soon.
Until then, spam continues to be a problem.
The DoT proposes a licensing system for telemarketers to control spam.
TRAI is cautious about the effectiveness of the proposed licensing system.
Only about 22% of subscribers have registered on the DND registry.
Telecom operators are currently responsible for telemarketers' compliance.
Any new licensing regime is unlikely before 2026.
- Who
- Telecommunications Department (DoT), Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), telecom operators, telemarketers.
- What
- Debate over new regulations and licensing for telemarketers to curb spam calls and messages.
- When
- Regulations are under discussion; no new regime expected before 2026.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- To reduce unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) and hold telemarketers accountable.
Telecom Operators (Telcos)
Industry Lobby COAI
Liability for Spam
Telecom Operators (Telcos)
Telecom operators currently bear the responsibility for regulatory compliance by telemarketers.
Industry Lobby COAI
Brands and telemarketers should be penalized instead of operators.
- Complaints Against Registered Telemarketers (Jan-May)
- 104,001
- Complaints Against Unregistered Telemarketers (Jan-May)
- 691,758
- Subscribers on DND Registry
- 24 crore (approx.)
- Estimated Active Telemarketers
- Over 18,000
- Mobile Numbers Disconnected
- Over 18.8 lakh (post August 2024)
- COAI Position
- Penalize brands/telemarketers, not operators