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Trai issues tariffs for SMS, alerts via CAP platform
Mumbai: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Tuesday issued Telecom Tariff (69th Amendment) Order 2022 on the tariff for SMS and cell broadcast alerts disseminated through the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) platform during disasters/non-disasters.
DoT allows SMS/cell broadcast free of cost only for a definite period and for events where specific requests for free of cost messages come from NEC/NCMC/SEC/Nodal authorities,” Trai said. However, there are occasions when the government would like to send alert messages to the public forewarning of a possible disaster or occasions where the public has to be informed of special events such as the holding of relief/vaccine/medical camps/specific law and order-related situations, etc.”
During both disasters and non-disasters, the department of telecom (DoT) requested Trai to provide a tariff for SMS and cell broadcast alerts and messages that TSPs will distribute via the CAP platform.
Accordingly, as per extant practice, Trai issued a consultation paper on “Tariff issues related to SMS and cell broadcast alerts disseminated through the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) platform during disasters/non-disasters” on 3 November 2021, seeking comments and counter comments from stakeholders by 1 December 2021 and 15 December 2021, respectively.
After considering the views of all stakeholders/participants and the analysis thereof, the authority inserted schedule XIII to the principal tariff order in clause three of the Telecommunication Tariff Order 1999, which provides the following tariff for SMS and cell broadcast alerts disseminated by service providers through the CAP platform.
The authority decided to prescribe a tariff of paisa two only for SMS alerts/messages sent during disaster and non-disaster situations, other than those sent as per directions issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Considering the significance of alerts/messages sent as per directions issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the authority has decided that no charges shall be levied for such SMS/cell broadcasts—alerts/messages sent either during a disaster, prior to notification of a disaster, or after the disaster has expired.
Trai said TSPs shall broadcast messages to all subscribers through cell broadcast free of charge during disaster and non-disaster periods.
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Airtel bets big on digital lending with Rs 20,000 Cr NBFC push
Telecom giant aims to transform India’s credit scene with a high-scale NBFC plan
NEW DELHI: Bharati Airtel is taking a bold step into the financial world. The telecom giant has announced plans to supercharge its Non-Banking Financial Company, Airtel Money Limited, with a whopping Rs 20,000 crore over the coming years.
Airtel will fund 70 per cent of the capital, with the remaining 30 per cent coming from the promoter group via Bharti Enterprises Limited. The move is designed to narrow India’s credit gap and bring simple, secure digital lending to more consumers.
The company is not starting from scratch. Its existing digital lending platform has already disbursed over Rs 9,000 crore, backed by smart underwriting, disciplined portfolio management, and real-time risk monitoring. With 500 plus data scientists and robust analytics, Airtel claims it has built one of the country’s most trusted lending service provider models.
Bharti Airtel executive vice chairman Gopal Vittal said, “Our success over the past two years shows how technology, data, and customer trust can create impact at a national scale. With this NBFC expansion, we aim to build a future-ready digital lending business that stands for trust, innovation, and inclusion.”
Airtel Money received its NBFC licence from the Reserve Bank of India on 13 February 2026. The expansion taps into India’s fast-growing financial sector, where formal credit accounts for just 53 per cent of GDP, highlighting huge room for growth.
The NBFC’s operations will integrate seamlessly with Airtel’s existing lending platform, keeping processes clear for customers while delivering a smooth experience. By leveraging its vast telecom customer base, Airtel aims to set a new benchmark in digital financial services and make lending accessible, simple, and reliable.
The Reserve Bank of India has noted that while Airtel Money has a valid registration certificate, it does not guarantee the company’s financial soundness or the repayment of liabilities.
