The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued new recommendations for revising the National Numbering Plan, introducing significant changes to landline number formats and caller identification systems. The recommendations advance India’s ongoing efforts to modernize its telecommunications infrastructure and combat fraud, following the recent implementation of the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) system and other anti-spam measures.
Under the new plan, all landline-to-landline calls will require users to dial ‘0’ followed by the STD code and subscriber number. The change marks a transition from the current Short Distance Charging Area (SDCA)-based scheme to a License Service Area (LSA)-based 10-digit closed numbering system. TRAI has specified that existing subscriber numbers will remain unchanged during this transition.
Telecom service providers will have a six-month implementation period to adapt their systems to the new dialing pattern while maintaining uninterrupted services. The regulatory body has also outlined plans to introduce fixed-line number portability, enabling users to retain their phone numbers when switching service providers, similar to the mobile number portability system already in place.
To enhance caller identification and reduce spam calls, TRAI recommends implementing a Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service that will display caller names. The initiative complements the Sanchar Saathi mobile application, recently launched by the Department of Telecommunications to combat telecom fraud. The recommendations also include strengthened caller ID verification methods to prevent number spoofing, a growing concern in India’s telecommunications sector.
The guidelines specify that mobile and fixed-line connections should not be deactivated until after 90 days of non-usage. Numbers remaining inactive for an additional year must then be deactivated. For Machine-to-Machine (M2M) devices, TRAI recommends transitioning from 10-digit to 13-digit numbers to accommodate future growth, reflecting the increasing adoption of IoT devices in India.
Regarding special short codes, such as emergency numbers, TRAI stipulates these will be provided free of charge but restricted to government agencies, with regular audits to ensure proper usage. The recommendations specify that no additional charges should be imposed on numbering resources, though the Department of Telecommunications will monitor annual usage and may withdraw unutilized allocations from service providers. The measures support India’s broader digital transformation initiatives, including the expansion of the Aadhaar authentication system across government and private sector services.
Sources: Upstox, CNBC TV18, The Economic Times, Press Information Bureau
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