The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a direction for phase-wise implementation of 1601-series numbers for service and transactional calls by entities in sectors other than Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI) and Government entities, which already use the 1600-series. This separate series aims to avoid mixing important financial voice calls with service and transactional calls from other sectors.
Following the successful adoption of 1600-series numbers by BFSI sector entities, TRAI is now extending the trusted numbering framework to other sectors using the 1601-series allotted by the Department of Telecommunications. Based on stakeholder consultations, Phase-I implementation will cover entities in Utilities and Courier and Logistics sectors.
The 1601-series numbers will be allocated directly to eligible entities after due verification by telecom service providers (TSPs), excluding intermediaries or aggregators. This measure is expected to combat impersonation by fraudsters who use normal 10-digit numbers while falsely claiming to represent legitimate businesses. The distinct numbering identity will enable consumers to easily identify legitimate service and transactional calls, thereby strengthening trust in voice-based communications.
Key provisions include the specification of Phase-I sectors: Utilities (electricity distribution companies, water utilities, city gas distribution companies, LPG distribution entities, and other utility service providers) and Logistics and courier services (courier companies, express logistics companies, parcel delivery service providers, freight and logistics service providers engaged in delivery of consignments). TSPs must complete migration and onboarding of eligible Phase-I entities within 90 days from the date of issue of the order. TSPs are required to verify entity eligibility before assigning 1601-series numbers and obtain an undertaking regarding exclusive use for service and transactional voice calls, with explicit prohibition against using these numbers for promotional voice calls.