Government disconnects 1.37 lakh phone connections for flouting UCC norms

06 December, 2012

Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC) by means of SMSes and phone calls has led to disconnection of around 1.37 lakh individual connections across the country.

JUNIOR MINISTER for Communications and IT, Milind Deora informed parliament while replying to a question that around 1.48 lakh subscribers have been sent notices, as they were found involved in sending unwanted commericial messages and calls.

Notably, as per the guidelines issued by telecom regulator TRAI, only registered telemarketers can send commercial messages and make calls to sell their products and that too only to those users, who have opted for receiving such communication.

Anand Singh, a software professional from Pune believes that government has done a good job by disconnecting numbers, which were accused of sending pesky communications. “Yes, I believe it is a good step to disconnect such numbers. These days I am receiving very few pesky calls or SMSes as I am registered with 'Do Not Disturb' option," Anand Singh told this citizen journalist .

Pooja, a media professional also hailed TRAI for its steps to curb unwanted commercial communications. “Now, I don't get pesky calls as I am registered with Do Not Disturb option,” said Pooja.

TRAI has strictly said that telemarketers must not send SMSes or make calls to those telecom users who have opted for Do Not Disturb facility. However, even after the strict laws to stop pesky SMSes and calls, mobile users continue to receive them.

As per the government records till November 29, 2012, there were 2,830 telemarketers registered with TRAI and around 786 complaints were received by government related to pesky communications till November 27, 2012.