Important regulatory changes are going to be made by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) from December 1. After which people may face huge delays in receiving OTP i.e. One Time Password.

OTP Messages May Get Delayed From December 1:  Starting December 1, significant regulatory changes by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) are expected to impact how major telecom operators such as Jio, Airtel, Vodafone and BSNL manage commercial messages and one-time passwords (OTP). These new measures, aimed at enhancing message traceability, are part of TRAI's broader initiative to protect consumers from scams and online frauds. 

Initially announced in August, the traceability guidelines require telecom providers to monitor the origin of commercial messages, including OTPs. The move is crucial to curb rising incidents of cyber fraud, where scammers misuse fake OTPs to trick users into sharing sensitive information or unknowingly providing access to their devices.

The financial consequences of these scams have been severe, which has prompted TRAI to take decisive action. While telcos were initially given an October 31 deadline to implement these measures, they requested more time to ensure compliance. TRAI extended the deadline to November 31, giving operators additional weeks to adapt their systems.

As soon as these rules come into force, users may experience delays in receiving OTP, especially during banking transactions, online bookings or other activities that require secure verification. TRAI believes that these short-term inconveniences are necessary to create a more secure digital ecosystem in the long term. 

Looking ahead to January 1, 2025, a different set of rules will further shape the telecom landscape. The government has introduced changes under the Telecom Act, focused on accelerating the development of 5G infrastructure across the country. These updates include the introduction of standardised Right of Way guidelines, which will simplify the process of setting up telecom infrastructure.

Currently, different RoW rules across states result in inconsistent charges and delays. The new rules aim to create a uniform framework, reduce costs, and accelerate deployment. The move is expected to significantly increase India's digital connectivity and ensure faster implementation of 5G services, benefiting consumers and businesses alike.

PC:Pixabay