TRAI fines Jio, Airtel, BSNL and Vodafone Idea for not being able to control spam. TRAI imposed fine on Jio, Airtel, VI and BSNL: Companies were failing to stop spam call-messages, total fine of ₹141 crore owed on companies

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India i.e. TRAI has imposed fine on Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea (VI) and BSNL for failing to stop spam calls and messages. This information has been given in the report of Economic Times.

Apart from four big companies, TRAI has also imposed fine on many small telecom operators. TRAI has imposed this fine on all the companies under the Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR). In the latest round, TRAI has imposed a total fine of ₹ 12 crore on all the companies.

Total fine of ₹141 crore on telecom companies

Including the previous fines, the total fine on telecom companies is ₹141 crore. However, the companies have not yet paid these dues. TRAI has requested the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) to recover the money by encashing the bank guarantees of the companies, but the DoT’s decision on this is still pending.

TCCCPR aims to protect consumers from spam calls and messages.

TCCCPR was created in 2010. Its purpose is to protect consumers from spam calls and messages. TCCCPR’s functions include providing options for customers to block promotional content, requiring registration for telemarketers, time restrictions on promotional communications, and penalties for violations of rules.

Spam problem is caused by businesses and telemarketers: Telecom operators

Telecom operators argue that the spam problem is caused by businesses and telemarketers, not the operators. The operators also say that it is wrong to impose fine on them as they are just intermediaries. Operators said companies have made substantial investments in reducing spam, although some companies are avoiding regulations.

Telecom companies also urged banks and businesses to implement spam regulation.

Telecom companies have urged TRAI to impose spam regulation on over-the-top (OTT) platforms like WhatsApp as well as banks and other businesses. He says that these platforms contribute significantly to spam traffic and it is necessary to regulate them.

TRAI is in the process of revising and enhancing TCCCPR to deal with spam more effectively. At a recent meeting, telecom operators stressed that spam cannot be eliminated unless all participants in the ecosystem, including OTT platforms and businesses, are held accountable.