DoT allocates separate 10-digit numbering series starting with 160 for service and transactional calls by government and financial entities

The Department of Telecom has taken a significant step towards enhancing communication transparency by allocating a separate 10-digit numbering series starting with 160 for service and transactional calls made by government, regulators, and financial entities. This move, as per an office memorandum issued on Tuesday, aims to help telecom subscribers differentiate between legitimate calls from official entities and potential fraudsters posing as government officials.

The unique 10-digit number series has been carefully designed by the DoT to provide subscribers with information about the calling entity, the telecom operator, and the location of origin. This will enable users to identify and trust calls from government bodies and regulated entities, ensuring a more secure and reliable communication experience.

According to the official note, the numbering series 160 will be exclusively allocated for service and transactional voice calls in accordance with the Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulation (TCCCPR) 2018. For government and regulators, the 10-digit number will be issued in the 1600ABCXXX format, where AB represents the telecom circle code (e.g., 11 for Delhi, 22 for Mumbai) and C denotes the telecom operator code. The XXX will range from 000 to 999.

Similarly, financial entities regulated by RBI, SEBI, PFRDA, and IRDA will be assigned the 10-digit number in the 1601ABCXXX format. Telecom service providers are required to verify each entity thoroughly before assigning a number from the 160 series and obtain an undertaking that the number will be used exclusively for service and transactional voice calls as per TCCCPR 2018.

This initiative by the DoT is a significant step towards ensuring the authenticity and credibility of communication from government and financial entities, ultimately enhancing trust and security for telecom subscribers. The implementation of the new numbering series is expected to streamline communication processes and protect users from potential fraudulent activities.