NOW, PEOPLE in the middle of the afternoon or night will not have to get irritated on answering marketing calls, at least over the phone. The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) is coming up with a dedicated landline to mobile number series that can be used to identify marketing calls and this would happen within a month.

According to a Telecom Ministry official, within a month customers will not be harassed with unwanted calls and SMSs. To quote him, “The Department of Telecom has sorted the issue to allot the number series for landline consumers with the security agencies. Now its a matter of another one month that consumers will get much needed relief from the unsolicited calls and SMSes.”

TRAI, the telecom regulator has asked DoT to come up with an identifiable number so that these unwanted calls and SMSes can be kept at bay. A number starting with 140 has already been allocated to the mobile services but for the landline connection, the number is yet to be decided. This is taking time as DoT has pointed out various billing and technical issues with the landline numbers.

A customer can register himself under the national customer preference register - a modified version of Trai's Do Not Call Registry list. He can choose either an option of 'fully blocked' or 'partly blocked'. Telemarketing companies who forward messages or calls to such customers registered under the scheme are liable for a fine of 2.5 lakh of rupees.

A customer can register the home phone number and cellular number with Trai's Do Not Call Registry list by calling 888-382-1222.