The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has initiated the phase-wise implementation of the 1601-series numbering system for service and transactional voice calls by entities in sectors other than banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) and government organisations.
The move is aimed at helping consumers distinguish legitimate service and transactional calls from potentially fraudulent calls made using ordinary 10-digit mobile numbers, while strengthening trust in voice-based communications.
TRAI said the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has allotted the 1601-series for service and transactional calls outside the BFSI and government sectors. The first phase will cover entities in the utilities, courier and logistics sectors.
The decision follows the widespread adoption of the 1600-series by BFSI entities for service and transactional calls. TRAI said the experience gained from the 1600-series framework provided a basis for extending a trusted numbering system to other sectors.
Under the first phase, the 1601-series will be available to electricity distribution companies, water utilities, city gas distribution companies, LPG distribution entities and other utility service providers.
The numbering system will also cover courier and logistics companies, express logistics operators, parcel delivery service providers and freight and logistics companies involved in delivering consignments.
TRAI said 1601-series numbers will be allocated directly to eligible entities rather than intermediaries or aggregators. Telecom service providers will be responsible for verifying the eligibility of entities before assigning the numbers.
The Ministry of Communications said the distinct numbering identity is expected to help curb impersonation by fraudsters who use regular 10-digit numbers and falsely claim to represent legitimate businesses.
Consumers will be able to more easily identify genuine service and transactional calls based on the dedicated number series, potentially reducing the risk of falling victim to fraudulent communications.
The Ministry said that the telecom service providers have been directed to complete the migration and onboarding of eligible entities covered under Phase-I within 90 days from the date of issuance of the direction.
Before assigning a 1601-series number, telecom service providers will have to verify the eligibility of the entity and obtain an undertaking that the number will be used exclusively for service and transactional voice calls.
The Ministry has also clarified that 1601-series numbers cannot be used for promotional voice calls.
The Ministry said the phased implementation of the trusted numbering framework is intended to create greater transparency in business-to-consumer voice communications while strengthening consumer confidence and helping combat impersonation-based fraud.
