TRAI has clarified the regulatory position on 1600 series and 140 series numbers under the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulation (TCCCPR). The clarification is intended to prevent misinformation about how these designated numbering series are used, blocked, or filtered.

The change is important because the numbering series are part of a consumer-protection framework for commercial communications. TRAI has said that tagging, blocking, or filtering of calls from 1600 series numbers is not permitted, while 140 series numbers remain subject to consumer preference controls through the Do Not Disturb (DND) registry.

What TRAI has clarified

TRAI stated that 1600xx series numbers are mandated for service and transaction calls made by regulated entities in the BFSI sector and by government entities for government-to-citizen communication. The objective is to make these communications trustworthy for customers and citizens.

The regulated entities named by TRAI are those regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), and Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).

TRAI also clarified that 140xx series numbers are meant for promotional calls by entities of any sector. Entities that want to use the 140 series must register with telecom service providers under the TCCCPR framework and comply with the regulation.

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