Pesky calls may continue

The menace of pesky calls is likely to continue for another year at least as state-run BSNL has said it will take 10 months after getting necessary approval to upgrade its network — vital to implement Trai's idea of identifiable number series to tele-marketing firms.

The menace of pesky calls is likely to continue for another year at least as state-run BSNL has said it will take 10 months after getting necessary approval to upgrade its network — vital to implement Trai's idea of identifiable number series to tele-marketing firms.

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BSNL's upgrade of its network is essential as all calls are inter-connected irrespective of their origin and end. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) in its regulation to put a check on unsolicited calls and SMSes has directed telecom service providers to allocate easily identifiable number series for tele-marketing companies.

On a request from Trai, the Department of Telecommunication has issued a number series starting with '140' to tele-marketing companies for mobile phone numbers but not for landline connections.

Adding three digit series to landline numbers will take total digits to 13. And to transmit a 13-digit number to telecom network, especially for caller line identification, BSNL and MTNL need to install modern equipment in exchanges.

"Private companies have said that they can upgrade their network in few weeks time but BSNL and MTNL will need time as government rule mandates them to procure equipment for upgrading network through tenders," a DoT official said.

BSNL officials denied to comment on the issue saying that new chairman and managing director of the company is likely to be appointed within a week and hence no one from company can comment on the issue.