NEW DELHI, AUGUST 10: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has initiated the phase-wise implementation of the 1601-series numbers for service and transactional calls from utilities, courier and logistics entities, in a move aimed at helping consumers identify legitimate calls and combat impersonation fraud.
TRAI said the 1601-series will initially cover entities in the utilities and logistics and courier sectors under Phase-I of the implementation.
The move follows the widespread adoption of the 1600-series for service and transactional calls by entities in the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector. The 1600-series is also being used by government entities.
According to TRAI, separate numbering for other sectors will help prevent important financial and government-related voice calls from being mixed with service and transactional calls from other entities.
Under Phase-I, the 1601-series will be available to eligible utility service providers, including electricity distribution companies, water utilities, city gas distribution companies and LPG distribution entities.
The series will also cover courier companies, express logistics firms, parcel delivery service providers and freight and logistics companies involved in the delivery of consignments.
TRAI said the 1601 numbers will be allotted directly to eligible entities rather than intermediaries or aggregators. Telecom service providers (TSPs) will be required to verify the eligibility of entities before assigning the numbers.
The regulator said the distinct and verified numbering identity is expected to strengthen consumer confidence in service and transactional voice calls and help tackle impersonation by fraudsters who use ordinary 10-digit mobile numbers while falsely claiming to represent legitimate businesses.
The TSPs have been directed to complete the migration and onboarding of eligible entities covered under Phase-I within 90 days from the date of issue of the direction.
Entities receiving 1601-series numbers will also be required to provide an undertaking that the numbers will be used exclusively for service and transactional voice calls.
The numbers cannot be used for promotional voice calls.
TRAI said the phase-wise expansion of the trusted numbering framework to sectors beyond BFSI and government is based on consultations with stakeholders and the experience gained from the adoption of the 1600-series.
The initiative is aimed at giving consumers a clearer way to distinguish genuine service-related calls from potentially fraudulent communications, while strengthening trust in voice-based transactional and service communications.
