·
New trusted numbering series: TRAI has initiated
phase-wise implementation of the 1601-series for service and transactional
voice calls by entities outside the BFSI and Government sectors.
·
Phase-I sectors: The first phase covers Utilities,
Courier and Logistics entities.
·
Utilities covered: Electricity distribution companies,
water utilities, city gas distribution companies, LPG distributors and other eligible
utility service providers.
·
Courier & logistics covered: Courier companies,
express logistics firms, parcel delivery services, freight and logistics providers
handling consignments.
·
Separate identity: The 1601-series is intended to provide
a distinct and recognisable identity for legitimate
service and transactional calls.
·
Fraud prevention: The initiative aims to combat impersonation
and phone fraud, particularly calls made from ordinary 10-digit numbers by persons
falsely claiming to represent legitimate businesses.
·
Direct allocation: 1601 numbers will be allocated directly
to eligible entities, rather than intermediaries or aggregators.
·
Mandatory verification: Telecom Service
Providers (TSPs) must verify the eligibility of entities before assigning
1601-series numbers.
·
Exclusive usage: Entities must provide an undertaking
that 1601 numbers will be used only for service and transactional voice calls.
·
No promotional calls: The 1601-series
cannot be used for promotional voice calls.
·
90-day deadline: TSPs have been directed to complete
onboarding and migration of eligible Phase-I entities within 90 days from
the date of the direction.
·
BFSI distinction: The 1601-series is separate from the
1600-series used for BFSI and Government-related service/transactional calls,
helping prevent important financial and Government calls from being mixed with calls
from other sectors.
·
Overall significance: The initiative
is expected to improve consumer trust, call identification and protection against
impersonation, while creating a more reliable numbering framework for legitimate
business communications.
[ABS News Service/11.08.2026]
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
(TRAI) has issued the Direction on use of 1601 series numbers for the transactional
and service calls by the entities in sectors other than Banking, Financial Services
& Insurance (BFSI) sector, and Government entities which are using numbers from
1600 series, issued earlier on 10 August, 2026. Considering the critical and sensitive
nature of communications made by the entities in BFSI sector and Government, this
separate series has been issued for the sectors other than BFSI and Government in
order to avoid mixing of important financial voice calls with the service and transactional
calls from the other sectors.
After widespread adoption of the 1600-series
numbers for service and transactional calls by BFSI sector entities, which has provided
valuable experience for extending the trusted numbering framework to the other sectors
also, TRAI has now initiated phase-wise implementation of the 1601-series allotted
by the DoT for similar calls by the entities in sectors other than BFSI sector
and Government. Based on consultations with stakeholders, it has been decided to
implement the series, covering entities in Utilities, Courier and Logistics sectors
under Phase-I.
The 1601-series numbers will be allocated
directly to eligible entities, and not to intermediaries or aggregators, after due
verification by the telecom service providers (TSPs). Their adoption is, therefore, expected to become
an important tool in combating impersonation by fraudsters who use normal 10-digit
numbers and falsely claim to represent legitimate businesses. Moreover, the distinct
numbering identity will enable the consumers to easily identify legitimate service
and transactional calls, thereby, strengthening trust in such voice-based communications.
Key Provisions of the Direction
A. Phase-I
sectors: The 1601-series shall
be initially allocated to the eligible entities in the following sectors:
i. Utilities – Electricity distribution
companies, water utilities, city gas distribution companies, LPG distribution entities
and such other utility service providers.
ii. Logistics and courier services
– Courier companies, express logistics companies, parcel delivery service providers,
freight and logistics service providers engaged in delivery of consignments.
B. Time-bound
onboarding
The Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have
been asked to complete migration and onboarding of eligible entities covered under
Phase-I within 90 days from the date of issue of the order.
C. Verification
and exclusive use
The TSPs shall verify the eligibility
of entities before assigning 1601-series numbers, and obtain an undertaking from
them regarding exclusive use of these numbers for service and transactional voice
calls. The numbers shall not be used for promotional voice calls by any entity.