Telecom operators detect bias in new rules against spam, oppose sharp rise in penalties

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) on Monday raised concerns over the telecom regulator’s new anti-spam rules, criticising the sharp rise in penalties imposed on telecom service providers (TSPs) while leaving Over-the-Top (OTT) communication platforms unregulated.

The COAI argued that despite telecom operators implementing extensive measures to curb spam, unsolicited commercial communications (UCC) have surged, largely shifting to OTT messaging apps, which have led to a rise in financial fraud, COAI director-general S.P. Kochhar said.