New Delhi – The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has revamped its anti‑spam framework, imposing tougher obligations on telecom firms and telemarketers that flood users with unsolicited commercial calls and texts.

AI and ML Must Guard the Network

Under the new rules, every service provider is required to embed artificial‑intelligence and machine‑learning based screening systems into their networks. These tools will continuously analyze call‑and‑message traffic, flagging anomalous patterns that indicate potential spam activity.

Five Offending Numbers Within Ten Days Triggers Disconnection

If five or more numbers linked to the same spam source are identified in a ten‑day window, the operator can cut the connection and the offender may be placed on a blacklist for up to one year, following due process.

TRAI has also introduced a levy of 5 paise per minute on automated calls, adding a financial deterrent for mass‑dialing operations.

Misused Business Numbers and Templates Will Be Policed

Telecom operators must act when a registered business line or a pre‑approved message template is abused. Should a telemarketer be found responsible, the penalty can extend to all numbers associated with that entity, including possible blacklisting.

Consumers dissatisfied with a resolution have 15 days to lodge an appeal. Appeals can be filed via the DND app, the operator’s own app or portal, or by dialing 1909.

Mandatory Disclosure for Automated Calls

The revised guidelines also cover auto‑dialers, robocalls and calls that use pre‑recorded or AI‑generated voices. Such calls must include a clear prior disclosure to the recipient.

TRAI further clarified that call‑management apps cannot blanket‑block entire commercial series such as 1600 and 1601 merely because they belong to a specific number range.

Goal: Stronger Oversight, Smarter Action

These measures aim to boost surveillance of commercial communications while giving operators sophisticated tools to pinpoint and curb suspected spam activity.