Stop pesky calls and SMSes- Register For Free

Perturbed by pesky calls are you? There is little or no reason to fret as there is an option to stop unwanted commercial calls and SMSes. Here is a way to avail all the information on the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) new regulations to give your mobile phone a little rest.

The new set of guidelines became necessary due to the limited success of TRAI's earlier initiatives. The National ‘Do Not Call Registry’ was effective to a certain extent in reducing the number of unsolicited calls. However it indirectly led to an increase in the number of unsolicited SMSes landing in consumers' inboxes.

Consumers now have two choices and they may register in one of them.

1. Fully blocked category: Commercial communication will be completely blocked.

2. Partially blocked category: Consumer will not receive any voice calls, but will have to choose to receive SMSes on any or some or all from seven pre-defined subjects:

a. Banking/insurance/financial products/credit cards
b. Real estate
c. Education
d. Health
e. Consumer goods and automobiles
f. Communication/broadcasting/entertainment/IT
g. Tourism and leisure

Mobile phone users that are already registered with the National Do Not Call Registry (NDNC) do not have to re-register. Their registration will automatically continue under the 'fully blocked' category. The request for registration on the National Customer Preference Register (NCPR) will be effective in seven days from the date of request for registration. The best part is that there are no charges involved in the registration, re-registration or change in registration process.

Procedure to register:

1. Via SMS sent to 1909: On sending the SMS, users will receive a confirmation SMS and need to reply to the message to ensure the options chosen are implemented.

2. Dial 1909 and register through IVRS (Interactive Voice Response System): Consumers can call the toll-free number 1909 and then follow the instructions to indicate their choice of blocked voice calls and SMSes.

3. Dial 1909 and register with the help of a customer care executive: Consumers can call the toll-free number 1909 and speak to a customer care executive to indicate their preferences. The consumer will receive a confirmation SMS along with their unique registration number.

4. Through the websites of mobile service providers: Users can also log in to their respective access providers' websites to register their preferences.