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Operator Bugs

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VoicenData Bureau
New Update

Unsolicited calls and SMSes from escort agencies or bankers bug everyone. But if the calls are coming from your own service provider, what will you do? Switch off the mobile? We keep on talking about SPAM messages, but Trai will not take stringent action and operators will continue to thrive. Unsolicited calls from enterprises do not make operators rich, but their own messages and calls are lifelines for operators.

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Prepaid users have already noticed the increase in unsolicited calls and SMSes from their service providers. The SMSes and calls are primarily meant for offering new schemes. So prepaid users (I am a postpaid subscriber!) cannot disconnect from such activities of the operator. They need to know about exciting schemes, but they do not want regular calls. Customers are in a catch-22 situation.

Most of the prepaid users get 2-4 SMSes and 2-3 calls per day-95% of the 670 mn mobile users are experiencing this. This means India's mobile population, primarily the prepaid users, get 46,428 crore unsolicited SMSes per year from his/her own operator. The number of unsolicited calls from the service provider is almost the same. Is there an escape route? This is besides the unsolicited calls from your bankers and friendship companies.

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Leading operators do not make more than `100 crore from unsolicited calls from enterprises. But making calls to their own subscribers is a strong marketing tool to reach the customer. But the customer is disturbed and not touched by the offers.

All operators are not bombarding customers with messages, but the leaders are known for this. If you show some interest by attending a call for more than a minute, the telecaller will abuse you the next day too. Your esteemed name will appear in their 'to do list' forever. You do not have the freedom to escape. Since the telecallers of the operators are trained speakers, you can not even interrupt and ask relevant questions. Your simple questions will be unanswered.

Customers do not want to hear their mis-spelt names. (Ever since I moved to New Delhi, my name has changed to BaburaNjan). Customers are ready to pay for their services. Can operators pay for sending unsolicited SMSes and making calls to us? Can we make some changes in the mobile market? Who can take the initiative? Bharti Airtel said they will stop bulk message services. Can they pioneer in this? Or can we expect a greenfield operator to come foreward?

Baburajan K

baburajank@cybermedia.co.in

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