Overview

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is constantly looking for ways to improve end-user experience and eliminate spam and fraudulent commercial communication. With the TRAI regulation implementation, it is mandated for Indian businesses using SMS to register entities, sender IDs, and SMS templates in a centralized distributed ledger technology (DLT) portal from operators.

The TRAI requires telemarketers to be registered on the DLT platform. DLT is a blockchain-based registration system to control SMS spam from various marketing firms. Previously, a registration with TRAI was enough for bulk SMS providers; however, anyone who wants to send promotional or transactional SMS to their customers must now be registered on DLT.

Understand DLT

The DLT platform records all the transactions made by the bulk SMS providers which is required by TRAI. Communication messages such as OTP, verification codes, and notifications sent by businesses to their customers must be registered in the TRAI DLT platform. This regulation will be implemented in multiple phases. Most of the telecom operators have already implemented the blockchain-based DLT system. This system creates more transparency and reduces spam and fraud performed through SMS. CleverTap helps you meet these compliance standards.

Bulk SMS Regulations

TRAI has formulated the guidelines to enhance control over preventing any fraudulent practice on SMS which provides greater safety for the end-customer. Clients must be registered with telecom operators to send promotional or transactional messages to their customers. They will be accountable to telecom operators who will be directly accountable to TRAI. The system is governed using blockchain technology known as DLT and the entire panel entities will be interlinked with each other.

The different types of partners involved in the process include:

Organization

It is the organization that messages the customers. It may be an individual, partnership firm, or any private and government entity. TRAI requires every partner to be registered with the telecom operators in the DLT platform.

End User

The end users are the mobile subscribers who receive the SMS. They can provide consent to receive promotional SMS from any business. The end user can set preferences, register complaints, and unsubscribe at any time as per the TRAI rules.

Service Provider

The service provider is the organization that provides bulk SMS services to other organizations or companies. Every service provider must be registered on the DLT platform to send messages for these organizations or companies.

Telecom Operators

These are providers such as Vodafone, Airtel, Idea, BSNL, and so on. They help TRAI to enforce the regulation.

Regulator

The regulator such as TRAI establishes the compliance standards, audits, governs the operations to safeguard customers’ interests, and prevents fraudulent practices.

Telemarketer or Enterprise

You can register as a telemarketer or an enterprise on the DLT platform. If you communicate with customers with SMS, then you can be classified as a telemarketer.

The two types of telemarketers include:

Telemarketer Aggregator: Not connected directly with the telecom operator. Can be an individual or company.
Telemarketer Delivery: Collects SMS/voice traffic from enterprises. Directly connected with telecom operators.

Telemarketers are the main source of sales for many companies. The most common form of telemarketing is outbound sales where businesses communicate with customers through SMS or voice. Therefore, it is necessary to register on the DLT platform as a telemarketer to send promotional and transactional messages.

Also, enterprises are businesses that deal with products or services that would like to connect with customer leads through SMS to increase their sales. TRAI requires you to register your business on the DLT platform as an enterprise to communicate with your prospects via SMS.

DLT Registration

TRAI requires telemarketers and enterprises to register on the DLT platform. Registration charges can vary depending on your service provider.

Follow the steps below to register on the DLT platform:

Select as a Telemarketer.
Select the Aggregator function.
Click No when asked if you have registered with any other mobile operator DLT network.
Enter your business PAN number.
Verify your OTP.
Verify your email.
Log on to the portal.
Fill in the required details upload the required documents.
Get the registration number. Your telemarketer ID is provided within 72 hours of uploading your KYC.

Telemarketer Registration

Follow the steps below to register as a telemarketer registration:

Select as a Telemarketer.
Select the Aggregator function.
Click No when asked if you have registered with any other mobile operator DLT network.
Enter your business PAN number.
Verify your OTP.
Verify your email.
Select as a telemarketer.
Fill in the required details upload the required documents.
Get the registration number. Your telemarketer registration ID is provided within 72 hours of uploading your KYC.

Enterprise Registration

Follow the steps below to register as an enterprise:

Select as an Enterprise.
Click No when asked if you have registered with any other mobile operator DLT network.
Enter your business PAN number.
Fill the form with the required details.
Verify with OTP.
Verify your email.
Log on to the portal.
Upload the required documents.
Get the registration number. Your Enterprise registration ID is provided within 72 hours of uploading your KYC.

Benefit of DLT Registration

DLT registration helps both the enterprise and the customer as it helps with maintaining transparency in enterprises. It also helps TRAI identify the customers who opt for the SMS/voice service so that they can use the service in a safe and transparent manner.

This registration is implemented by all the operators and they offer registration to telemarketers and enterprises on their DLT platform.

A unique registration number is provided on the first phase of DLT registration when you register as a telemarketer or an enterprise.

Customer Benefits

The customer benefits include:

Elimination of spam and fraud.
Strong security using blockchain technology.
More transparency with a separate registration for telemarketers and enterprises.
Allow customers to consent before sending the SMS and also select time slots.

Enterprise Benefits

The enterprise benefits include:

More targeted outreach to the customers.
All headers and templates are registered on the platform.
Better communication with the customers who actually want to receive information from you.
Improved marketing practices to reach your target audience.

Conclusion

TRAI regulations have been enforced by telecom operators and they must be implemented.

We encourage you to register your business on the DLT platform so that you can run multiple SMS marketing campaigns to communicate with your leads and grow your business.