1601 series to be used for transactional and service calls other than banks, Fin and govt entities: TRAI

 
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today issued the Direction on use of 1601 series numbers for the transactional and service calls by the entities in sectors other than Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector, and Government entities which are using numbers from 1600 series. The Department of Communications informed TRAI has now initiated phase-wise implementation of the 1601-series allotted by the Department for similar calls by Utilities, Courier and Logistics sectors entities. This includes electricity distribution companies, water utilities, city gas distribution companies and LPG distribution entities. It also includes courier companies, express logistics companies, parcel delivery service providers, freight and logistics service providers engaged in delivery of consignments.  
 
This separate series has been issued in order to avoid mixing important financial voice calls with the service and transactional calls from the other sectors. The Ministry noted that the distinct numbering identity will enable the consumers to easily identify legitimate service and transactional calls, thereby strengthening trust in such voice-based communications. 
 
The 1601-series numbers will be allocated directly to eligible entities after due verification by the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and for this, TSPs have been asked to complete migration and onboarding of eligible entities within 90 days from the date of issue of the order.