TRAI Finally Reveals How It Changed The Framework Of Commercial SMS To Establish Spam-Free Messaging Ecosystem

From December 11 onward, any SMS traffic sent through unregistered paths is being rejected, marking the completion of this extensive initiative.

A framework that ensures traceability of all commercial SMS has now been established.

Source : Unsplash/Baatcheet Films

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recently changed the rules of messaging in the hopes of reducing spam menaces for mobile users in the country. Now that the exercise is complete and new rules are in motion, the regulatory body has finally revealed the reason and methodology for it. TRAI on Thursday said that due to this, a framework has been established that ensures traceability of all commercial SMS.

This is a major step in the direction of creating a safer and spam-free messaging ecosystem.

TRAI New Rules For Commercial SMS: How Did It Begin?

Under this framework, all principal entities (PEs), including businesses, banks, and government agencies, along with their telemarketers (TMs), were required to declare and register their message transmission routes using blockchain-based Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). According to TRAI, this declaration and binding process ensures complete traceability of every message, from its origin to its final delivery, while maintaining data security and avoiding delays in SMS transmission. To enforce this, TRAI issued a directive on August 20, 2024, mandating traceability for all commercial messages starting November 1, 2024.

Acknowledging the extensive efforts needed for implementation, TRAI extended the compliance deadlines to November 30 and subsequently to December 10 to facilitate the onboarding of approximately 1.13 lakh active PEs across various industries, including banking, insurance, healthcare, and real estate. TRAI also adopted a collaborative approach, working with sectoral regulators such as RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, and PFRDA, as well as government bodies like NIC, CDAC, and state governments, to raise awareness and expedite the declaration and binding processes.

TRAI New Rules For Commercial SMS: How Did It Unfold?

Access providers played a key role in assisting PEs and TMs by conducting focused outreach campaigns and providing technical support to facilitate smooth integration into the DLT system. To avoid disruptions, TRAI adopted a phased implementation approach during the initial enforcement phase. While chain binding regulations were technically in effect, messages sent through undeclared paths were temporarily permitted but tagged with error codes.

These error codes were communicated to the respective PEs, enabling them to address issues without impacting critical communications, such as OTPs or time-sensitive messages. This consumer-first strategy ensured uninterrupted messaging services while upholding regulatory compliance. Thanks to these collective efforts spearheaded by TRAI, all major PEs have successfully registered their message transmission chains with access providers.

From December 11 onward, any SMS traffic sent through unregistered paths is being rejected, marking the completion of this extensive initiative. The traceability framework complements TRAI’s other anti-spam measures, including the disconnection of telecom resources used by spammers, URL whitelisting in SMS messages, and transitioning 140-series telemarketers to DLT platforms.