TRAI tightens robocall rules, adding AI spam checks and a ₹0.05-per-minute A2P call charge

TRAI’s new requirements for AI/ML-led spam detection, number pre-declaration and pricing of automated A2P calls could raise compliance and outreach costs for retailers using voice campaigns, delivery alerts and customer-service automation.

— Source publishedFri, 18 Sept, 2026, 23:43 IST·First seen Sat, 19 Sept, 2026, 00:00 IST·Source ET Small Business

What happened

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) · TRAI requires telecom operators to deploy AI/ML spam detection, adds a ₹0.05-per-minute charge for A2P robocalls,

Key facts

  • ₹0.05 per minute
  • five or more numbers
  • 10 days
  • 1600 number series
  • 140 number series

What changed

TRAI requires telecom operators to deploy AI/ML spam detection, adds a ₹0.05-per-minute charge for A2P robocalls, and mandates pre-declaration of automated-call numbers, affecting retailers’ bulk customer outreach and marketing communications.

Why this matters

Audit A2P voice programs for number pre-declaration, consent and AI-spam compliance, then reprice delivery alerts and service calls to absorb the new per-minute charge.

What to watch

  • TRAI implementation dates, operator circulars and final guidance on charge collection and covered A2P call categories.
  • Clarification on whether delivery alerts, customer-service callbacks, IVR, masked numbers and conversational AI are treated differently.
  • Operator rollout of AI/ML spam filters, including false-positive rates and remediation processes for legitimate enterprises.
  • Changes in call completion, answer, complaint and blocking rates after new filtering is activated.
  • Enterprise migration rates from voice to WhatsApp, RCS and SMS, and resulting pricing or template-policy changes in those channels.