• Investment World
• eWorld
• Catalyst
• Mentor
• Life
• Canvas
• Praxis
• Urban Pulse
• Brand Quest

Stocks

• Quotes
• SE Diary
• Scoreboard
• Open-End Mutual Fund

Port Info

• Ships in Ports
  
  

Archives

• Yesterday
• Datewise
• Resources

Group Sites

• The Hindu
• Business Line
• The Sportstar
• Frontline
• The Hindu eBooks
• The Hindu Images

Our Bureau

New Delhi , May 6

DESPITE the objections raised by the industry, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended bringing out telephone directory of mobile users.

However, mobile users who do not wish to get their names listed can opt out of the directory service.

Issuing its recommendations on publication of telephone directory, TRAI has said, "all the licence agreements for access service should have uniform provisions for publication of telephone directory and directory enquiry services either by the licencee or through another licensed operator and directory enquiry service provider."

TRAI has directed that state-owned operators BSNL and MTNL should publish the printed integrated telecom directory of fixed line customers and other operators shall compensate the incumbent towards the cost of publication of the directory for fixed line numbers, based on their number of entries.

Fixed line subscribers also have the choice to opt out of the listing.

For mobile subscribers, TRAI has said that though an integrated directory of all mobile customers at circle level is ideal, "currently it is not possible to print such an integrated directory. Therefore, in the meantime each cellular operator shall individually publish printed telephone directory of their customers at circle level." Pre-paid customers shall be excluded from the printed directory.

The industry had objected to the publication of mobile numbers on the ground that it invaded the consumer's privacy. TRAI has said that unwanted telemarketing calls could be addressed through the provision of exclusion of the numbers of those customers who do not want their telephone numbers listed in the directory services and through appropriate legislative and other measures.

In addition to printed telephone directory, all the service providers have to provide directory services through the Web.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Lason India takes BPO boom to villages

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu Business Line