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Dot plans mobile directory
May Opt For Call Centre or Website Routed Mobile Number Access system
The department of telecom (DoT) is considering ways of introducing a mobile phone directory through public-private partnership mode, a move strongly opposed by private operators citing privacy and churn causes.
Mobile customers, particularly the pre-paid ones, who form 80 percent of the total subscriber base, can change the number frequently, making it difficult to create a mobile directory in printed from, official sources said.
Hence , a call center or website routed mobile number access system has been looked at they said. Under such a system, a person can call up a call center or go to a website to find the number of a particular subscriber. DoT can outsource this process to an external agency in a public-private partnership.
The department has put up a proposal to this effect to communications minister A Raja, who has to take a call on it.
Some private agencies are already providing mobile directory call center service where mobile users who do not wish to get their names listed can opt out of the call centers directory service.
Sources said the call center or website will have the numbers of only willing subscribers and there will be enough safeguards to see that the given information is not abused.
“But before going ahead, we need minister’s permission and suggestion if any. The file is with the minister,” the file is with the minster,” the sources said.
Trai has already given its recommendations on printing of telephone directory and directory enquiry service which are under examination of the government.
The operators are against the idea iof publishing directories, especially mobile directory, citing reasons as rapid growth of mobile subscribers, high rate of churning majority of the customers using , majority of the customers using pre-paid connections and most importantly privacy issues.
Though COAI supports mandatory directory directory enquiry services for fixed lines, it is not in favour of directory enquiry and personal communication issues. In its recommendations on publication of telephone directory, Trai had said: “all the license agreements for access service should have uniform provisions for publication of telephone directory and directory enquiry services either by the licencee or through another licensed operator and directory enquiry service provider.” The issue of privacy has been handled in case of pesky telemarketing calls where eliminating unsolicited telemarketing calls and unwanted SMS, a national do not call (NDNC) registry is in place. Cell phone users would have to register their numbers with the registry from September 5th.
Trai had issued a regulation on unsolicited commercial communications on June 5th 2007.
The NDNC register requests of mobile subscribers who do not want to be disturbed by telemarketing calls.