Deja Vu. Remember how many times deadlines were extended before implementation of MNP. Almost the same story is being repeated for Implementation of ‘The Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2011’. Yes you guessed that right, its delayed again. What does this mean for all of us? Well, if you were expecting Freedom from unsolicited calls and SMSes from March 21st, just like me then folks you will have to wait as the new regulation is delayed again because of Department of Telecom. It has been delayed 4 times earlier also as DoT was unable to allocate the numbering resources for telemarketers from fixed line network. This new numbering series will be required to be implemented by all Access Providers before allocation of resources to telemarketer.
TRAI’s Press Release :
“The Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulations, 2010” provides allocation of separate number series for telemarketers in schedule-III. DoT has communicated a fresh numbering series beginning with the number „140‟ on 31st January, 2011. This new number series allocated by DoT are only for mobile services of the licenses and levels for fixed network was to be allocated by DoT after resolving the issue of CLI for telemarketing operations using fixed line network. However, the number series for fixed network are still not allocated by DoT. Access Providers have indicated that it will not be possible to provide all the resources to for telemarketing from mobile networks only due to high traffic originated from such calls. Due to non availability of numbering resources from fixed line network from DoT date of implementation of relevant clauses of The Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2010 has been extended upto 21st March, 2011 through the fourth amendment on 28th February, 2011 . However, till date DoT has not allocated the numbering resources for telemarketers from fixed line network. This new numbering series will be required to be implemented by all Access Providers before allocation of resources to telemarketer. For this purpose time will be required by Access Providers to change the configuration in their system and test the new series. No time frame is available with TRAI regarding allocation of number resources by DoT. Accordingly, relevant clauses of “The Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2010” have been amended and exact date of implementation of various clauses would be notified once number resources for telemarketing from fixed line network are allocated by DoT.
Earlier when deadlines were not met DoT announced new deadlines for Implementation of ‘The Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2011’.This time DoT has learned from its past mistakes and did not announce any new deadline.
We would love to know what you think of such delays by DoT. Do share your comments.