The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) have introduced a new mobile number series for promotional and financial service calls and messages. This initiative aims to help users easily distinguish between promotional and banking messages, thereby reducing mobile fraud and enhancing user experience.
Government’s New Number Series
A new mobile number series has been jointly released by TRAI and DoT. Promotional voice calling messages will come from the 140 number series, while financial transactions and service voice calls will come from the 160 number series. Telecom operators like Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone-Idea are expected to implement these series nationwide soon. This distinction will help users identify promotional and banking messages, potentially reducing mobile fraud.
Impact on Mobile Users
Currently, users receive around 20 to 25 promotional calls and messages daily. According to reports, 120 to 150 million phishing messages are sent monthly in India, with one out of every 12 people falling prey to phishing each month. The new number series is expected to mitigate these issues by clearly distinguishing between types of messages and reducing the number of fraudulent communications.
Cracking Down on Phishing Messages
Phishing messages have become a significant problem in India. Approximately 300,000 people fall victim to phishing scams each month, yet only 35,000 to 45,000 incidents are reported. The introduction of the new number series aims to curb this by making it easier for users to recognize legitimate financial service messages and promotional calls, thus preventing fraud.
Regulation of OTT Platforms
In addition to the new number series, the government is preparing to regulate over-the-top (OTT) platforms like WhatsApp. TRAI and DoT are working on a plan to control fake calls and messages sent through social media platforms. Suggestions will be sought from OTT players for creating a regulatory draft. This move aims to further prevent online fraud and enhance user security.
Blockchain Solutions for Online Fraud
To combat online fraud, the government is introducing blockchain-based solutions and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). These technologies are expected to provide a secure and transparent method for verifying the authenticity of messages and calls, thereby reducing the risk of fraud and enhancing the overall security of mobile communications.
Conclusion
The introduction of new mobile number series by TRAI and DoT marks a significant step towards improving mobile user experience in India. By distinguishing between promotional and financial messages, the government aims to reduce fraud and provide a safer communication environment for users.
