TEMA supports TRAI on UCC, demands 100 % freeze on UCC and protect customers privacy

Telecom Equipment Manufacturing Association (TEMA) is concerned with the plight of mobile users, suffering from the Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC) and supports TRAI's initiative on the issue.

TEMA demands a 100% freeze on UCC for wanted / unwanted customers. We urge TRAI, TSP's, ISP's and telemarketers to plan and implement a solution jointly to curb this menace of pesky calls. Due to increased dependence of mobile phones during the pandemic, phishing and cybercrime calls have increased. Mobile customers are feeling helpless.

Recently One97 (Paytm) has approached Hon. Court to seek relief from pesky calls, messages and phishing attempt. On July 14, 2020, Hon. Court has asked TRAI to submit action taken report on registration of telemarketers and other related issues.

Ravi Sharma, Chairman, TEMA said: "It is high time that the nuisance of pesky calls is removed for Indian consumers. Technology and regulations today are enough to prevent such practice."

Unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) and SMS is a problem in every country that has high mobile penetration. Globally this problem has been well managed by co-ordination between the regulator and other stakeholders.

In India, too, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a policy of "Do not Call Registry." As per the order, telecom service providers need to ensure that if a subscriber does not wish to receive, commercial calls and has registered for the same must not get UCC.

The order is also clear that UCC should not be made to unwilling customers from registered telemarketers. Non-registered telemarketers are not to be allowed to send any UCC to any customer.

In the year 2016, TRAI launched a mobile app to register DND request and also to file a complaint if an unwilling customer gets UCC. Unfortunately, UCC is only on the increase.

Prof. NK Goyal, Chairman Emeritus TEMA said "Now, in the days when data privacy is given the highest priority, there is no way unsolicited calls should disturb mobile users. This practice is almost non-existent in case of fixed calls."

TEMA-Telecom Equipment Manufacturers Association of India is India's first and oldest telecom association. TEMA has been the only one of the few who have stood firm with the Government on growth and indigenization of the Electronics/Telecom Sector in India, since June 1990.

TEMA is the pioneer in promoting domestic manufacturing and in bringing forth the possible security risks that may be faced on continuous dependence on imported network equipment and components. CMAI, promoted by TEMA, is Asia's largest ICT association with 48,500 members and 74 MoU partners globally covering a wide range of sectors such a telecom, ICT, education, cyber security, skilling, innovations, start-Ups, international co-operation, etc.