The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has mandated that service and transactional calls from utilities and logistics companies use phone numbers beginning with the 1601-series. This expands the existing 1600-series allocation, previously assigned to the banking, financial services, insurance (BFSI) sector, and government organisations. The move aims to standardise and segregate phone numbers for service-related calls, enhancing transparency and trust for consumers.
Officials note that this will help users easily recognise calls from utilities and logistics firms, distinguishing them from telemarketing or promotional calls. This directive is part of TRAI's ongoing effort to optimise telecommunication numbering resources and strengthen consumer protection in service communications. Industry stakeholders are expected to comply promptly, ensuring smooth implementation across sectors.
