M A I N   N E W S

End to pesky calls, SMSes soon

New Delhi, August 12
In a relief to millions of mobile phone users, telecom regulator TRAI today said it will take 4-6 weeks to curb the menace of unsolicited calls and SMSes after DoT cleared the '140' number series exclusively for landline phones of telemarketing companies.

"Once we get the number from the DoT, which is expected today, we will be able to implement the series in four to six weeks," TRAI Chairman JS Sarma said. DoT has cleared the '140' number series exclusively for landline phones of telemarketing companies to help consumers recognise such calls.

The telecom regulator had earlier asked DoT (Department of Telecommunication) to allocate easily identifiable number series for telemarketing companies in order to put a check on unsolicited calls and SMSes.

While a series beginning with 140 was also allocated to telemarketing firms for calling from mobile phones. Since the telecom service providers need to make certain changes in their networks, they should be given 4-6 weeks before implementing the scheme.

Last year, TRAI had come out with recommendations to curb the menace of pesky calls and SMSes.

Since then, many deadlines have been missed for implementing the guidelines in view of the absence of an identified number series. — PTI