TRAI rolls out 1601 numbers for utility, courier and logistics calls

NEW DELHI: Your next electricity, LPG or courier call could soon look a little less suspicious. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has initiated the phase-wise implementation of the 1601-series for service and transactional voice calls from entities in sectors beyond banking and government.

The move is aimed at creating a distinct and trusted numbering identity for legitimate service calls while helping consumers distinguish them from fraudulent calls made using ordinary 10-digit numbers.

TRAI said the 1601 series will initially cover entities in the utilities, courier and logistics sectors under Phase-I. The series will be used for service and transactional calls, and not for promotional voice calls.

The move follows the widespread adoption of the 1600-series for service and transactional calls by entities in the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector, as well as government entities.

According to TRAI, the separate numbering series for other sectors is intended to prevent important financial and government communications from being mixed with service calls from other businesses.

Under the new framework, 1601 numbers will be allocated directly to eligible entities rather than intermediaries or aggregators. Telecom service providers (TSPs) will first verify the eligibility of entities before assigning the numbers.

The first phase will cover electricity distribution companies, water utilities, city gas distribution companies, LPG distributors and other utility service providers.

On the logistics side, the series will cover courier companies, express logistics firms, parcel delivery providers, and freight and logistics companies involved in the delivery of consignments.

TRAI has directed TSPs to complete the migration and onboarding of eligible entities covered under Phase-I within 90 days of the direction being issued.

The verification process is a key part of the framework. TSPs will have to confirm an entity’s eligibility before assigning a 1601 number and obtain an undertaking that the number will be used exclusively for service and transactional voice calls.

Importantly, 1601 numbers cannot be used for promotional voice calls by any entity.

TRAI said the trusted numbering framework is expected to help tackle impersonation fraud, where scammers use regular 10-digit numbers while falsely claiming to represent legitimate businesses.

A recognisable numbering identity could therefore give consumers a simpler way to separate genuine service communications from suspicious calls.

The regulator said the 1601 rollout builds on the experience gained through the adoption of the 1600 series in the BFSI sector. The implementation will be expanded in phases to other sectors based on stakeholder consultations and the experience from the initial rollout.