Date:20/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/20/stories/2008032055111200.htm

National

TRAI firm on penalising erring operators

Sandeep Joshi

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), which is all set to provide relief to lakhs of telephone subscribers across India from unsolicited telemarketing calls, is determined to implement its regulations and penalise erring operators.

A couple of days back TRAI notified its regulations that provide for a fine up to Rs.20,000 on telecom operators if they fail to check telemarketing firms from making calls to phone subscribers registered with the ‘National Do Not Call’ (NDNC) Registry.

“We will not step back from our regulations on unsolicited calls. We want the service providers to be strict with telemarketing firms who call subscribers against their wish,” said TRAI member R.N. Prabhakar on the sidelines of a conference here.

“We are even ready for a legal battle if they [telecom operators] choose to go to court against it,” he added. Interestingly, telecom operators, who are unhappy with the development, have said that TRAI has no authority to impose penalty and it can only advise the government on the same.

TRAI has said telecom service providers will have to pay up to Rs.5,000 for the first unsolicited commercial call to the customers registered under the NDNC Registry and up to Rs.20,000 in case of second or subsequent such non-compliances. Apart from this, the receiver will be paid Rs.500 for the first unsolicited call and Rs.1,000 for every subsequent such call.