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Tag: DOT

  • Over 1 Crore Fraudulent Mobile Connections Disconnected With Help Of Sanchar Saathi: DoT |

    New Delhi: Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has said that till date more than one crore fraudulent mobile connections disconnected with the help of Sancharsaathi.

    “The DoT launched a citizen centric platforms, Sanchar Saathi (https://sancharsaathi.gov.in), to fight cyber fraud, enabling citizens to report suspicious calls & messages. Till date more than one crore fraudulent mobile connections disconnected with the help of Sancharsaathi. Further, 2.27 lakh mobile handsets have been blocked for involvement in cybercrime /financial frauds,” DoT said.

    To curb the menace of spam calls, TRAI has directed telecom operators to disconnect and blacklist entities using bulk connections for spam calls, including robocalls and pre-recorded calls. In the last fortnight over 3.5 lakh such numbers have been disconnected and 50 entities have been blacklisted. In addition, around 3.5 Lakh unused/ unverified SMS headers and 12 Lakh content templates are blocked.

    In parallel, with an objective of improving the network performance, benchmarks are to be gradually tightened for key network parameters like network availability, call drop rates, packet drop rates, etc. In this regard, TRAI has released its revised regulations, “The Standards of Quality of Service of Access (Wirelines and Wireless) and Broadband (Wireline and Wireless) Service Regulations, 2024 (06 of 2024)”.

    These regulations will come into effect from October 01, 2024 and from 1st April 2025 monthly monitoring of QoS performance of mobile service will be started instead of quarterly basis.

    The TRAI has also issued consultation papers on provisions of immediate suspension of services of Unregistered Telemarketers on receipt of complaints beyond a pre-defined threshold number, and implementation of proactive detection and action on suspected spammers.

  • DoT Advises M2M Service Providers To Register On Saral Sanchar Portal By September 30 To Avoid Disruption.

    New Delhi: Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has urged all unregistered M2M Service Providers (M2M SPs) and WPAN/WLAN Connectivity Providers for M2M Services, to register with DoT immediately and latest by September 30, 2024, to avoid disruption of their M2M services. . Non-compliance may lead to withdrawal or disconnection of telecom resources obtained from the Authorized Telecom Licensees.

    The extended timeline for registration of all unregistered entities, who have obtained telecom resources from authorized telecom licensees in the past, ends on September 30, 2024.

    The Department had issued detailed guidelines for registration of all M2M Service Providers (M2M SPs) and WPAN/WLAN Connectivity Providers for M2M Services in February 2022, after considering the recommendations of TRAI and views of M2M industry stakeholders. The registration is a simple and transparent online one-time process through the SaralSanchar portal (https://saralsanchar.gov.in/).

    Subsequently, in order to proliferate the standard-based and secure M2M/IoT ecosystem, the scope of the registration was extended to allow all types of business.

    Entities such as companies, Government Departments/Organizations, Partnership Firms, LLPs, Institutions, Undertakings, Proprietorship Firms, Societies and Trusts to apply for registration as M2M Service Providers and WPAN/WLAN Connectivity Provider for M2M services.

    The DoT is committed to build a secure and innovative M2M/IoT landscape in the country. National Digital Communication Policy-2018 aims at creating a robust digital communication infrastructure, enable next generation technologies and ensure a holistic and harmonized approach for harnessing Emerging Technologies such as M2M/loT.

  • Spam Calls: Govt Extends Timeline For Submission Of Feedback By 15 Days |

    New Delhi: The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, on Thursday extended the timeline for submission of comments/feedback on Draft Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Unsolicited and Unwarranted Business Communication, 2024.

    “In view of requests received from various Federations, Associations and other stakeholders to extend timeline for submission of comments/feedback on Draft Guidelines for the Prevention and Regulation of Unsolicited and Unwarranted Business Communication, 2024, the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India has decided to extend the timeline by 15 days from the last date of submission i.e. 21.07.2024,” said an official release.

    The comments may now be submitted until 05 August 2024, it added.

    The Department has received various suggestions/comments which are currently under examination. The comments may be submitted by email to js-ca[at]nic[dot]in.

    Central Consumer Protection Authority had issued guidelines to protect consumers from unfair trade practices and violation of their consumer rights through unsolicited and unwarranted business communication in the form of voice calls, SMS, and instant messaging applications including through social media platforms.

    These guidelines, called the Guidelines for the Prevention and Regulation of Unsolicited and Unwarranted Business Communication, 2024 shall apply to all persons and establishments that makes or causes to make the business communication (Maker); that engages the Maker of such communication; that would be the intended beneficiary from such communication; and in whose name such communication was made by the Maker.

    No person or establishment to whom these guidelines are applicable shall engage in any unsolicited or unwarranted business communication initiated in violation of the conditions said the guidelines.

  • Electricity KYC Update Scam: 392 Mobile Phones Banned by Govt |

    New Delhi: Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has taken major action against Electricity KYC Update Scam, directing Pan India IMEI based blocking of 392 mobile handsets misused in cybercrime, financial frauds.

    “Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has initiated targeted actions to protect citizens in response to reports of fraudulent activities involving mobile numbers in electricity KYC update scams,” Ministry of Communications said in a release.

    Citizens reported some cases of fraudsters using SMS & WhatsApp messages related to electricity KYC updates and malicious APK files to manipulate and gain control over victims’ devices.

    The DoT utilized the Chakshu portal for reporting and analyzing fraudulent activities, initially identifying five suspect numbers. The portal’s AI-driven analysis revealed that 392 handsets linked to 31,740 mobile numbers were involved in such fraudulent activities.

    The DoT has directed all Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) for Pan India IMEI based blocking of 392 mobile handsets misused in cybercrime, financial frauds. It also directed them for re-verification of 31,740 mobile connections linked to these mobile handsets. Failure in re-verification will result in immediate disconnection of reported numbers and blocking of associated handsets.

    What is Chakshu Facility on Sanchar Saathi Portal

    Chakshu is the latest addition to the citizen centric facilities already available on the Sanchar Saathi portal (www.Sancharsaathi.gov.in) of DoT. ‘Chakshu’ facilitates citizens report suspected fraud communication received over call, SMS, or WhatsApp with the intention of defrauding like KYC expiry or update of bank account/payment wallet/SIM/gas,connection/electricity connection, sextortion, impersonation as government official/ relative for sending money, disconnection of all mobile numbers by the DoT, etc.

  • TRAI Extends Deadline To Receive Comments On Consultation Paper Auction Of Spectrum In 37-43.5 GHz Bands Identified For IMT |

    New Delhi: Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has extended the last date to receive comments/counter comments on Consultation Paper ‘Auction of Spectrum in 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz and 42.5-43.5 GHz bands Identified for IMT’

    “Keeping in view the request of Industry Associations for further extension of time for submission of comments and counter comments, it has been decided to extend the last date for furnishing written comments and counter comments to 24th May 2024 and 6th June 2024, respectively. No further requests for an extension of time will be considered,” DOT said in a release.

    DoT through its letter dated 02.08.2023 had requested Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to provide recommendations on applicable reserve price, band plan, block size, quantum of spectrum to be auctioned and associated conditions for auction of spectrum, inter-alia, in 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz, and 42.5-43.5 GHz bands including the regulatory technical requirements as enunciated in the relevant provisions of the latest NFAP/Radio Regulations of the ITU.

    In this regard, the TRAI released a Consultation Paper on ‘Auction of Spectrum in 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz and 42.5-43.5 GHz bands Identified for IMT’ on 04.04.2024. Initially, the last date for receiving written comments and counter comments from stakeholders on the issues raised in the Consultation Paper was fixed as 02.05.2024 and 16.05.2024, respectively. However, on the request of industry and associations, the last date for furnishing comments and counter comments was extended by two weeks, that is, up to 16.05.2024 and 30.05.2024, respectively.

  • Getting Fake Calls Threatening To Disconnect Your Mobile On Behalf Of DoT/TRAI? Report At These Numbers |

    New Delhi: Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued an advisory to citizens not to take fake calls being received by the citizens wherein callers are threatening to disconnect their mobile numbers, or their mobile numbers are being misused in some illegal activities. DoT said that it does not make calls to citizens threatening disconnection.

    The DoT had also issued advisory about WhatsApp calls from foreign origin mobile numbers (like +92-xxxxxxxxxxx) impersonating government officials and duping the people.

    Cyber ​​criminals through such calls try to threaten or steal personal information to carry out cyber-crime/financial frauds.

    Where To Report Fake Calls?

    The DoT/TRAI said it does not authorize anyone to make such calls on its behalf and has advised people to stay vigilant and report such fraud communications at ‘Chakshu – Report Suspected Fraud Communications’ facility of Sanchar Saathi portal (www.sancharsaathi.gov. in/sfc). Such proactive reporting helps DoT in prevention of misuse of telecom resources for cyber-crime, financial frauds, etc.

    The DoT also advises citizens to report at cyber-crime helpline number 1930 or www.cybercrime.gov.in in case of already a victim of cyber-crime or financial fraud.

    Various measures have been taken to combat suspected fraud communications and to curb cybercrime activities. Under CHAKSHU facility, 52 Principal Entities, involved in sending malicious and phishing SMSs to the citizens have been blacklisted. 700 SMS content templates have been deactivated. 348 mobile handsets blacklisted on pan-India basis across all telecom operators.

    10,834 suspected mobile numbers flagged for re-verification to the telecom operators out of which 8272 mobile connections disconnected failing re-verification till 30th April 2024. 1.86 lakh mobile handsets blocked on pan India basis for involvement in cybercrime/financial frauds.

    Advisories have been issued on a regular basis for the public to create awareness on fake notices impersonating DoT/TRAI, suspected fraud communications and malicious calls via press, SMS, and social media, said DoT.

  • DoT Blocks 20 Mobile Handsets For Misuse In Cybercrime, Financial Fraud

    In March, the telecom department issued an advisory to citizens about calls impersonating DoT, threatening people to disconnect their mobile numbers.

  • Ban Sale Of Illegal Wi-Fi 6E Wireless Routers On Amazon, Flipkart: COAI to DoT

    The industry body urged the DoT to intervene and take strict measures to put a complete ban on the sale of Wi-Fi products operating in the 6 GHz band.

  • Beware Of Calls Impersonating DoT, Threatening To Disconnect Mobile Numbers; WhatsApp Calls Starting With +92

    The DoT has cautioned on misuse of mobile numbers, WhatsApp calls from foreign origin mobile numbers (like +92-xxxxxxxxx) impersonating Government officials.