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Tag: trai

  • TRAI Releases Consultation Paper On Framework For Service Authorisations.

    New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Wednesday released a consultation paper on ‘Framework for Service Authorizations for provision of Broadcasting Services under the Telecommunications Act, 2023’.

    The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) through a letter dated 25th July 2024, sent a reference to TRAI informing that the Telecommunications Act, 2023 has been published in the Official Gazette of India. Section 3(1)(a) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, which is yet to be notified, provides for obtaining an authorization by any entity/ person intending to provide telecommunication services, subject to such terms and conditions, including fees or charges, as may be prescribed.

    In respect of the broadcasting services, the reference has appreciated that many broadcasting platforms (which employ radio waves and spectrum for offering services) viz. DTH, HITS, IPTV, Uplinking/Downlinking of television channels (including teleports), SNG, DSNG, Community Radio, FM Radio etc. are issued license/ permission/ registration by MIB under Section 4 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, which is replaced by the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

    The Ministry also shared a background note providing the details of the policy guidelines of various licenses/ permissions/ registrations issued by MIB and the relevant sections of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 that may have a bearing on the terms and conditions of authorizations.

    MIB, through the said letter dated 25.07.2024, under Section 11(1)(a) of the TRAI Act, 1997, requested TRAI to provide its recommendations on the terms and conditions, including fees or charges; for authorization to provide broadcasting services, with the objective of aligning it to the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and harmonizing the terms and conditions across various service providers, so that the terms and conditions for the authorizations of broadcasting services may be notified as Rules under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

    Accordingly, a Consultation Paper on ‘Framework for Service Authorizations for provision of Broadcasting Services under the Telecommunications Act, 2023’ has been placed on the TRAI’s website (www.trai.gov.in) for seeking comments/ counter comments from the stakeholders. Written comments on the issues raised in the Consultation Paper are invited from stakeholders by 20th November 2024 and counter-comments by 27th November 2024, respectively.

    The comments/ counter-comments may be sent, preferably by email to [email protected] and [email protected]. For any clarification/ information, Shri Deepak Sharma, Advisor (Broadcasting & Cable Services), TRAI may be contacted at Tel. No. +91-11- 20907774.

  • TRAI Releases Consultation Paper On ‘Regulatory Framework For Ground-Based Broadcasters’

    New Delhi: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued the Consultation Paper on ‘Regulatory framework for Ground-based Broadcasters’.

    The Guidelines issued by MIB from time to time for Uplinking and Down linking of Satellite Television channels in India, containing the terms and conditions for TV broadcasting services, make it mandatory for the broadcasters to use satellite medium i.e. uplinking and down linking of television channels through satellite, for providing their channels to the Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs).

    “The advancement of technology has made it feasible for the broadcasters to provide their television channels to DPOs terrestrially also i.e. using ground-based technologies. Like traditional TV channels, which are uplinked and downlinked through satellite, the terrestrially transmitted channels may also be carried on multiple DPO networks simultaneously and the DPOs can retransmit them on commercial terms to the subscribers. Therefore, there is a need to have a regulatory framework enabling use of ground-based technologies,” said Ministry of Communications.

    TRAI had forwarded its recommendations on Regulatory Framework for Platform Services to MIB on 19.11.2014, which included certain recommendations related to ‘Regulatory framework for Ground-based broadcasters’.

    Accordingly, the Consultation Paper on ‘Regulatory framework for Ground-based Broadcasters’ is being released for seeking comments from stakeholders. The consultation paper may be accessed on TRAI’s website, www.trai.gov. Written comments on the consultation paper are invited from the stakeholders by 15.11.2024. Counter comments, if any, may be submitted by 29.11.2024. The stakeholders are requested to submit their comments and counter-comments, preferably in electronic form, on the email- [email protected] and [email protected], said Ministry of Communications.

  • Over 2.75 Lakh URLs Whitelisted By 10,000 Entities After TRAI Guidance |

    New Delhi: Over 10,000 business entities have whitelisted more than 2.75 lakh URLs, after the guidance issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in August, the telecom regulator said in a release said on Wednesday.

    The TRAI directed all Access Service Providers to stop transmitting messages containing URLs, APKs and OTT links, which are not whitelisted by the Senders. The direction came into effect from October 1.

    Whitelisting a URL is the process of adding a URL to a list of approved resources that can be accessed. Whitelisting is a cybersecurity strategy that helps to protect devices and data from threats like malware, phishing, and hackers.

    “In compliance with TRAI’s August 20, 2024, directive, Access Providers have implemented mandatory whitelisting of URLs, APKs, or OTT links in messages by sending Entities,” the TRAI release added.

    TRAI has introduced stricter measures to combat the spam calls. It includes disconnection of telecom resources for violators. Over 800 entities have been blacklisted, and more than 18 lakh numbers have been disconnected for non-compliance, as per the release.

    Additionally, TRAI has enforced the migration of telemarketing calls using the 140 series to the Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) platform, improving monitoring and reducing misuse, the release added. Other actions include the blocking of 3.5 lakh unused headers and 12 lakh content templates prone to fraud, further safeguarding consumers, as per the TRAI release.

    Access Providers are in the process of implementing technical solutions to ensure better message traceability. This involves mandating the Senders to define the complete chain of TMs through which messages travel before reaching the consumers. This would ensure that Heads and Content templates of the Senders are not misused by fraudulent elements, the regulator stated.

    With expanded collaboration through the Joint Committee of Regulators (JCoR), TRAI continues to work with agencies like RBI, SEBI, and IRDAI to tighten control over commercial communications and explore future enhancements, as per the regulator.

  • TRAI Releases Consultation Paper On Digital Radio Broadcast Policy For Private Broadcasters

    New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Monday released a Consultation Paper (CP) on “Formulating a Digital Radio Broadcast Policy for private Radio broadcasters”.

    At present, analogue terrestrial radio broadcast in India is carried out in Medium Wave (MW) (526–1606 KHz), Short Wave (SW) (6–22 MHz), and VHF-II (88–108 MHz) spectrum bands. VHF-II band is popularly known as FM band due to deployment of Frequency Modulation (FM) technology in this band. All India Radio (AIR) – the public service broadcaster – provides radio broadcasting services in MW, SW and FM bands. Private sector radio broadcasters are licensed to transmit programs in FM frequency band (88-108 MHz) only.

    Digital radio broadcasting will provide a number of advantages over analogue radio broadcasting. The major advantage of Digital Radio broadcasting is capability of broadcasting three to four channels on a single frequency carrier, while ensuring excellent quality of audio for all the channels, whereas in the analogue mode only one channel broadcasting is possible on a frequency carrier. In a competitive environment, digital radio broadcasting can provide exciting new opportunities to radio broadcasters as well as a host of value-added-services to the listeners.

    All India Radio (AIR) has initiated digitization of its analogue MW and SW radio broadcast network and replaced its existing 38 analogue transmitters with digital transmitters. AIR has conducted trials for digital radio technologies in FM band also. However, any initiative in digitization of FM band by private FM radio broadcasters is still awaited.

    In order to develop an eco-system, which can facilitate deployment of digital radio broadcasting, TRAI suo-motu gave its recommendations on “Issues related to Digital Radio Broadcasting in India” on 1st February 2018. In its recommendations, the Authority recognized that there was a need to bring all the stakeholders – radio broadcasters, transmission equipment manufacturers, and digital radio receiver manufacturers – on one platform and to encourage them to work collectively for developing the ecosystem for digital radio broadcasting. The Authority also emphasized that the government should come out with a detailed policy framework for Digital Radio Broadcasting in India, which should provide detailed roadmap for rollout of digital radio broadcasting services in a time bound manner.

    Now, MIB vide its reference dated 23rd April 2024 has sought recommendations of TRAI on formulating a digital radio broadcast policy for private Radio broadcasters. MIB has mentioned that in order to cater to technology shift, some existing provisions under FM Phase-III policy may require a relook. MIB has also highlighted certain issues that may be considered while formulating recommendations for digital radio broadcast policy.

    Accordingly, TRAI has initiated this consultation process in order to seek stakeholders’ comments on various issues relating to formulation of digital radio broadcast policy for private radio broadcasters. Written comments on the consultation paper are invited from the stakeholders by 28th October 2024. Counter comments, if any, may be submitted by 11th November 2024.

  • TRAI’s Big Step To Curb Misuse Of URLs In Messages, SMS To Come Into Effect From 1 October |

    New Delhi: In a major step to curb the misuse of URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) in messages, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued a Direction on 20th August 2024, instructing all Access Providers to block any traffic containing URLs, APKs. (Android Package Kit), or OTT (Over The Top) links that have not been whitelisted. The Direction is set to be implemented by 1st October 2024.

    To ensure smooth flow of SMS traffic containing URLs, TRAI advises registered senders to promptly upload their whitelisted URL/APK/OTT links to the portal of the respective Access Providers. So far, over 3,000 registered senders have complied with this requirement by whitelisting more than 70,000 links. Senders who fail to whitelist their links by the due date will not be able to transmit any messages containing URL/APK/OTT links.

    This initiative by TRAI is designed to safeguard consumers from unsolicited messages containing malicious links while fostering a transparent and secure communication system. By complying with these new rules, both Access Providers and registered senders can help in creating a more reliable and safe messaging environment.

  • Spam Menace: 3K Registered Senders Whitelist Over 70K Links As Per Centre’s Directive |

    New Delhi: More than 3,000 registered senders have whitelisted more than 70,000 URLs, APKs (Android package kit) or OTT (over the top) links as per the government directive to safeguard consumers from unsolicited messages containing malicious links, it was announced on Thursday.

    In a major step to curb the misuse of URLs (uniform resource locators) in messages, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had issued a directive on August 20, and then extended it till September 30.

    The new rule, instructing all access providers to block any traffic containing URLs, APKs, or OTT links that have not been whitelisted, is set to be implemented by 1st October 2024.

    To ensure smooth flow of SMS traffic containing URLs, TRAI advises registered senders to promptly upload their whitelisted URL/APK/OTT links to the portal of the respective Access Providers.

    “So far, over 3,000 registered senders have complied with this requirement by whitelisting more than 70,000 links. Senders who fail to whitelist their links by the due date will not be able to transmit any messages containing URL/APK/OTT links,” said the Ministry of Communications.

    This initiative is designed to foster a transparent and secure communication system.

    “By complying with these new rules, both Access Providers and registered senders can help in creating a more reliable and safe messaging environment,” said the telecom regulator.

    Whitelisting is a cybersecurity strategy under which only pre-approved or trusted users, entities, or actions are allowed to operate on a system or network. By preventing unauthorized access, whitelisting can greatly reduce the risk of malware infection and cyber intrusion.

    Telecom service providers blocked over 50 entities and disconnected more than 2.75 lakh mobile numbers and telecom resources earlier this month.

    The TRAI has also introduced punitive measures for non-compliance. Content templates registered under the wrong category will be blacklisted, and repeated offenses will lead to a one-month suspension of the sender’s services.

  • 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.

  • Is Your Mobile SIM Card Not Working? This could be possible reason; Know How To Fix It |

    Smartphone users often face call drop or connectivity problem. Sometimes restarting your smartphone could resolve the issue. However, if you have noticed that your SIM card has stopped working, then this news is for you. The Ministry of Communications said that the government has disconnected more than one crore fraudulent mobile connections with the help of Sanchar Saathi. So, if your SIM card is not working, then you need to get its KYC done again using valid documents or get a new SIM card issued.

    To tackle the issue of spam calls, TRAI has instructed telecom operators to disconnect and blacklist entities involved in using bulk connections for spam, including robocalls and pre-recorded messages. Over the past two weeks, more than 350,000 such numbers have been disconnected, and 50 entities have been blacklisted. Additionally, the ministry reported that around 350,000 unused or unverified SMS headers and 1.2 million content templates have been blocked.

    The ministry added that several initiatives have been launched to ensure spam-free, high-quality telecom services with fast data speeds. To combat cyber fraud, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) introduced a citizen-centric platform called *Sanchar Saathi*, allowing people to report suspicious calls and messages. So far, over 10 million fraudulent mobile connections have been disconnected with the help of *Sanchar Saathi*. Additionally, 227,000 mobile handsets involved in cybercrime and financial fraud have been 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 1, 2024 and from April 1, 2025, monthly monitoring of QoS performance of mobile service will be started instead of on a quarterly basis. Revised QoS benchmark for few important parameters as per new regulation are given below. (With agency inputs)

  • Spam Calls: 50 Entities Blacklisted, 2.75 Lakhs Mobile Numbers Disconnected.

    New Delhi: Amidst the significant rise in spam calls, telecom operators have blacklisted over 50 entities and disconnected more than 2.75 lakh SIP DID/Mobile Numbers/Telecom resources as per Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI’s) directives.

    TRAI said that it has observed a significant rise in spam calls, with over more than 7.9 lakh complaints reported against Unregistered Telemarketers (UTMs) in the first half of the year 2024 (January to June).

    Taking this issue seriously, TRAI had issued stringent directives to all Access Providers on 13th August 2024. It has mandated Access Providers to immediately stop promotional voice calls from unregistered senders or telemarketers using SIP, PRI, or other telecom resources. Any UTM found to be misusing these resources will face severe consequences, including disconnection of all telecom resources for up to two years and blacklisting.

    “Consequent of these directions, Access Providers have taken stern measures against misuse of telecom resources for spamming and blacklisted over 50 entities and disconnected more than 2.75 lakh SIP DID/Mobile Numbers/Telecom resources. These steps are expected to have a significant impact on reducing TRAI urges all stakeholders to comply with the directives and contribute to a cleaner and more efficient telecom ecosystem,” said the telecom regulator.

  • TRAI Extends Deadline For Move Aimed At Curbing Misuse Of Messaging Services |

    New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Friday granted a one-month extension to access service providers to comply with its direction regarding the whitelisting of URLs, APKs and OTT links. TRAI had earlier asked major telecom operators in the country to regulate messages containing URLs, OTT link, APK files and phone numbers unless they are whitelisted by September 1.

    The move is aimed at curbing the number of spam and phishing attempts by scammers who try to dupe people using SMS service. The telecom regulator has now directed all access providers to furnish to the authority an updated status on action taken within 15 days and a compliance report within 30 days from date of issue of this direction.

    The revised direction mandates that all access providers ensure that traffic containing URLs/APKs/OTT links, which are not whitelisted, is not permitted with effect from October 1. “This step aims to curb the misuse of Headers and Content Templates, ensuring a more secure and efficient telecom ecosystem. Further, in consideration of the issues brought out by Access Providers, the revised timeline for implementing call back numbers will be fixed separately,” said TRAI.

    On August 20, the Center mandated access service providers to take concrete measures to curb misuse of messaging services, effective from September 1. All access service providers were to be prohibited from transmitting messages containing URLs, APKs, OTT links, or call back numbers which are not whitelisted by the senders.

    To deter the misuse of templates for promotional content, TRAI has introduced punitive measures for non-compliance. “Content templates registered under the wrong category will be blacklisted, and repeated offenses will lead to a one-month suspension of the sender’s services,” said the government. The telecom regulator said that the revocation of traffic from the sender shall be done only after legal action is taken by the sender against such misuse.