New Delhi, August 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Monday directed telecom operators to begin onboarding eligible entities from selected non-financial sectors onto the 1601-series numbering framework for transactional and service-related voice calls.
The move expands a trusted numbering system already used by the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector and is aimed at helping consumers distinguish legitimate service calls from calls made using ordinary 10-digit mobile numbers, thereby reducing the scope for impersonation and fraud.
TRAI said it has issued directions governing the use of 1601-series numbers by entities outside the BFSI sector, while government organisations currently use the 1600-series framework.
The regulator said the experience gained from the widespread adoption of 1600-series numbers by BFSI entities had provided an operational basis for extending the trusted numbering mechanism to other sectors.
The first phase will cover utility service providers, including electricity distribution companies, water utilities, city gas distribution companies, LPG distributors and other utility firms.
The logistics and courier sector has also been included in Phase I. Eligible entities will include courier companies, express logistics operators, parcel delivery service providers and freight and logistics companies involved in consignment delivery.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has allocated the 1601-series for such calls, while telecom service providers have been directed to complete the onboarding and migration of eligible Phase-I entities within 90 days from the date of TRAI’s order.
The 1601 numbers will be assigned directly to eligible entities rather than intermediaries or aggregators. Telecom operators will conduct verification before allocating the numbers.
TRAI said the distinct numbering identity would make it easier for consumers to recognise genuine transactional and service-related calls and strengthen confidence in voice-based communications.
The regulator has also made clear that 1601-series numbers cannot be used for promotional voice calls by any entity.
The initiative is intended to create a clearer distinction between trusted service communications and ordinary mobile-number calls, particularly as consumers increasingly rely on voice calls from utilities and logistics providers for essential transactions and services.
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