Spam lapses cost telcos ₹150 crore

The telecom regulator Trai has imposed a penalty of ₹150 crore on telecom operators for their failure to curb spam calls and messages, according to an official source.

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

The ₹150 crore penalty imposed for three years beginning 2020, however, has been challenged by telecom operators.

"Financial disincentives of more than ₹150 crore have been imposed on the telecom service providers for wrong closure of customer complaints and not taking action on telecom connections of spammers in accordance with regulations," the source said.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) imposes penalties on telecom operators who fail to comply with regulations that impose financial disincentives.

The regulations provide for a financial disincentive of up to ₹50 lakh per month per licensed Service Area for a telecom operator.