GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 7th Feb. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has suggested a major overhaul of the fixed-line dialing system, recommending a shift to a uniform 10-digit numbering format across India. If approved by the government, this move will eliminate the existing STD code system and require users to dial a full 10-digit number even for local calls.
The proposal aims to optimize the allocation of phone numbers by implementing a numbering scheme based on Licensed Service Areas (LSA), which generally cover entire states or large cities. TRAI has advised that all fixed-line to fixed-line calls be prefixed with ‘0’, followed by the Short Distance Charging Area (SDCA) code or existing STD code, and then the subscriber’s number.
To ensure a seamless transition, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has been urged to provide telecom operators with a six-month implementation window. TRAI has reassured users that their phone numbers will remain unchanged, reducing disruption for subscribers.
Additionally, TRAI has proposed revised deactivation rules. Mobile and fixed-line connections will not be deactivated until 90 days after a period of non-usage, with a mandatory disconnection only after 365 days. Furthermore, deactivated connections cannot be reassigned for at least 90 days, while numbers surrendered or disconnected voluntarily can be reassigned only after 180 days.
TRAI has also urged the DoT to monitor the annual usage of numbering resources allocated to telecom operators and withdraw unutilized numbers if necessary. While TRAI had earlier considered penalizing or imposing fees on the allocation of numbering resources, it has now recommended against such financial disincentives.
The regulator also reiterated its push for the implementation of the Caller Name Display system, which it had recommended in February 2024, to enhance transparency for users receiving calls from both traditional and IP-based networks.
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