To address the problem of spammers using 10-digit numbers in order to mislead customers into giving out personal information, the Department of telecommunications (DoT) has introduced a new numbering scheme, a PIB press release stated.
A new 160xxxxxxx number series has been allocated exclusively for service and transactional voice calls, according to a DoT press release. This new series, which will replace the current 140xx series, will be used by genuine entities to make service and transactional calls, while the 140xx series will continue to be used for promotional calls. The decision to introduce a separate number series for service and transactional calls is a step in the right direction and will help to reduce the risk of consumers falling victim to scams.
According to the DoT, the new 160xxx series will provide a clear differentiation between legitimate service and transactional calls and spammers, making it easier for customers to manage their communication. The new 160xxx series will be available for use by all telecom service providers (TSP), and they will be required to verify the authenticity of each entity before assigning a number from 160 series.
The DoT has also proposed that telecom operators should use the Do Not Disturb (DND) feature of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to block unwanted promotional calls.