Separate landline number for telemarketers hits roadblock

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s demand for a separate identifiable landline number series, in line with a mobile series for telemarketers, has hit a roadblock with DoT saying that it could breach security 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 involved in the process of issuing numbers told PTI.

DoT official explained that in the present situation 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.

“Telecom operators will have to install separate RAX (Rural Automatic exchange) to allocate new number series. C-DOT RAX have option of operating manually and is accessible to employees at lower level,” the official said.

The official expressed apprehensions that installing a separate RAX for separate number series will lead to security breach. He explained that a separate RAX will make way for an ill-willed person to access telecom network by manipulating an employee at lower level.

There will be extra capacity in each exchange as telemarketers are not present everywhere. A person with wrong intention will be able to plug in to network manually and run away after misusing the network, the official said. “We can not take a risk that has possibility of security breach,” the official said.

The official said that it was also commercially not viable for telecom service providers to upgrade exchanges in all parts of the country.

He mentioned that Telecom Regulatory Authority of India will have to re-look into its demand and bring changes in the way it wants to implement regulation on pesky calls and SMS.

Telecom Regulator recently extended date for implementing its regulation for the third time to March 21. For this extension, TRAI cited delay in getting separate landline number series from DoT while access providers indicated inability in providing all the resources to call centres from mobile networks only due to high traffic originating from such call centres.

COMMENT NOW