TRAI Action | TRAI’s step to crack down on unwanted messages, instructions for verification of ‘header’, template

File Photo Delhi: Telecom regulator TRAI on Thursday took steps to crack down on unwanted messages to protect the interest of customers. Under this, key entities like banks, financial institutions and others have been directed to immediately complete the process of verification of message ‘headers’ and content formats (templates). The message ‘header’ is a unique combination of six English words and numbers that conveys the name of the brand or company. Will review the matter in the next two weeks, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) warned on Thursday that any delay in re-verification of ‘headers’ and content profiles by major entities could block their messages. May go. TRAI said it will review the matter in the next two weeks and issue suitable directions in this regard, if required. The regulator said in the statement, “Therefore, all major entities should complete the process of verification of the ‘header’ and content format (template) as soon as possible.” Banks, other financial institutions, insurance companies, trading companies, business entities, etc. send commercial messages to telecom customers through SMS. Any commercial message can be sent only using the registered ‘headers’ assigned to the units as per the rules. Also read Telemarketing Companies Misuse These commercial units are also required to register the format of the content with the telecom companies. Commercial SMS does not reach the intended subscriber if the content is not as per the format. TRAI has observed that some major entities have registered a large number of ‘headers’ and content profiles and at times some of these are misused by telemarketers. To curb this, the regulator had directed re-verification of all registered headers and content profiles on February 16, 2023. But it was found that many major units have not yet completed the verification work. (agency)