With the rise of the Internet and smartphones, various dangers have emerged alongside the conveniences offered by these technologies. While smartphones have simplified many tasks, they have also given scammers and cybercriminals new ways to deceive people. In light of this, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recently implemented several measures to protect individuals from online scams and fraud.

One of the important steps taken by TRAI is to ask telecom companies to implement message traceability. This major move was first announced in August and focused on commercial messages and OTPs (One-Time Passwords). Initially, telecom companies were given time until October 31 to adopt these traceability measures, but this deadline was extended to November 31 following requests from major players like Jio, Airtel, VI and BSNL. As the new deadline approaches, these companies must comply with TRAI rules for tracking commercial and OTP messages.

It is important to note that if Jio, Airtel, VI and BSNL start implementing these traceability measures on December 1, OTP messages may experience delays. Therefore, if you are engaged in activities such as banking or booking reservations, you might find yourself waiting longer for your OTP.

TRAI’s initiative stems from the realization that fraudsters often exploit fake OTP messages to gain access to individuals’ devices, resulting in significant financial losses. By applying this rule to all telecom companies, TRAI aims to protect consumers more effectively.

Furthermore, from January 1, 2025, a a new rule will be implemented this will affect customers of Jio, Airtel, Vi and BSNL. These regulations aim to accelerate the development of 5G infrastructure across the country.

The government recently introduced additional regulations under the Telecommunications Act, requiring all states to comply with these changes. This new guideline, called Right of Way (RoW), establishes standardized costs for telecommunications companies when deploying infrastructure nationwide. Currently, right-of-way rules differ from state to state, resulting in varying fees for permitting and setting up infrastructure across the country.

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