NEW DELHI: To tackle the problem of unsolicited telemarketing calls, the Telecom Regulatory of Authority (TRAI) on Tuesday issued regulations fixing a fine of Rs. 500 a call or message on telemarketers making calls to numbers registered in "Do Not Call" list. Erring telemarketers will face disconnection of telecom service.

Releasing its "Telecom Unsolicited Commercial Communications Regulations, 2007," applicable with immediate effect, the TRAI said a "National Do Not Call" registry (NDNC registry) would be prepared containing the list of telephone numbers of subscribers who did not want to receive unsolicited commercial communications (UCC), including SMS.

The NDNC registry will be installed by the Department of Telecommunications' National Informatics Centre (NIC) that will also operate and maintain it. The entire set up is likely to be ready within the next three months.

Telephone subscribers (landline and cellular) who do not wish to receive telemarketing calls can register their numbers with their telecom service providers for inclusion in the NDNC.

Verification

All telemarketers will have to verify their calling telephone numbers list with the NDNC registry before making a call. Each telemarketer will have to register with NDNC Registry to avail of the facility of scrubbing their calling list. The DoT has formulated separate guidelines for "telemarketers." All the agencies making voice calls or sending SMSs for marketing of products, including those content providers who offer various services through SMS and voice using short codes, fall in the category of telemarketers and such telemarketers are required to register with DoT within three months. Those failing to register would face disconnection.

As a majority of telemarketers are being employed by the banking sector, TRAI has also approached the Reserve Bank of India and Indian Banks' Association to ensure that no telemarketers are engaged by the banking sector without valid registration certificate issued from DoT. It has also urged them to ensure that all the telemarketers presently engaged by banks should register themselves with DoT as telemarketer within three months.

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