Over 135,000 Indian Phones Disconnected for Sending SMS Spam

Published on: 7th Dec 2012

­India's mobile networks have disconnected just over 135,000 subscribers accused of breaking text messaging marketing rules since the rules were introduced in 2011.

The figures were released in a statement to the Indian Parliament.

At the end of November, some 2,830 telemarketers have been registered with the telecoms regulator, the TRAI.

The regulator noted that it has been aware that several calls and SMSs are emanated from private / individual numbers, who have not registered with TRAI as a telemarketer. The regulation provides for disconnection of the phone lines, following a second complaint if the first warning notice was ignored.

In total, warning notices have been sent to 148,095 subscribers, and 137,052 subscribers have had their phones shut-off.

To cut down on SMS spam, the regulator is also proposing to impose a minimum charge of 50 paisa per SMS sent in excess of 100 SMS per day. Mobile networks can still bundle text messages and offer low-prices, but such offers cannot be applied once the sender reaches the 100 text message limit.

The networks will also have to set up a short code that customers can forward SMS spam onto for them to be investigated.

 

Tags: [sms]  [text messages]  [India]