Telemarketing calls may nag people for some more time

New Delhi, Mar 18: Pesky calls from telemarketers may continue to nag customers for some more time as the telecom regulator TRAI is likely to extend its Mar 21 deadline again.

"We have not received the landline number series yet from the Department of Telecom (DoT). Unless that is given, it will be difficult for telemarketers to operate from mobile network.

We have not decided the next date but actual date will be soon," Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Chairman J S Sarma told reporters here.

The deadline has already been extended three times. The regulation was to be initially implemented on Jan 1, 2011. It was later extended to Feb 1 and then a second extension to Mar 1 was made for implementing the regulation.

DoT has issued mobile numbers starting with "140" to help subscribers identify telemarketing calls. Similarly, a series is to be allocated for landline numbers.

DoT sources say the delay in issuing the landline series is because there could be a security breach at telecom exchange level.

"Most of the work in case of landlines is done manually. Fixed line network is not automatic as mobile network is. Identification in case of fixed line is done through manual process," a DoT official said.

At present, if any call from landline comes, then it can be identified based on STD code - the initial digits - and then levels (digits following STD codes) which differ from exchange to exchange within a city.

In case identifiable series of ''140'' is used, it will impact the numbering system being used at present for allocating new connections.

Also, it will be difficult for security agencies to track calls as it will display uniform code instead of STD code for connections across the country, the official said.

PTI