TRAI New Bulksms Sending Guidelines Sept 2024

New TRAI guidelines for sending bulksms

Dear Customer,
Greetings from TSPL!!

We are writing this e-mail to keep you informed of the latest guidelines from TRAI.

Following the TRAI Directive released on May 12, 2023 (https://trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/Direction_12052023.pdf), and the additional direction issued on August 13, 2024

(https://trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/Direction_13082024.pdf), new rules regarding message templates have been enabled on the DLT panel.

Effective September 1, 2024, it is mandatory for each variable in your message templates to be pre-tagged according to its intended purpose. This means that variables in SMS content should only convey the specific information they are meant to, and no additional data should be included. To comply with the TRAI direction, we are introducing a feature to pre-tag the variable at the time of template creation. For existing templates, we are working on a solution for pre-tagging variables in templates and will share it with you ASAP.

We are also introducing CTA (Call to Action) whitelisting wherein only whitelisted URL / OTT Link / APK / Call-back number will be allowed to be transmitted in messages as per TRAI guidelines and scrubbing will be done accordingly.

These measures will help streamline the Template registration process and ensure your message templates are fully compliant.

Important Note:

Correct Tagging of Variables: Make sure all variables in your SMS templates are tagged correctly. This is crucial to prevent delivery failures. Below are the formats for variables to be selected while registering templates:

Sr. No.	Variable Formats	Type
1	Date	Alphanumeric
2	Address, Pin code, City, State	Alphanumeric
3	Phone Number / Toll Free Number	Numeric
4	URL / APK / OTT link	Alphanumeric
5	NUMBER (OTP, Amount, Serial Number, Reference IDs etc.)	Alphanumeric
6	Name	Alphabetic

Sample Template: Your FD {var1} for INR {var2} has been renewed for {var3} from {var4}. Call {var5} for assistance – ABC Bank

Variable Tagging:

Variable	Tagging
Var1	Numeric
Var2	Alphanumeric
Var3	Alphanumeric
Var4	Alphanumeric
Var5	Numeric

Validation Against Template: Double-check that your variable tags comply with the validations specified on the template registration page. This helps in avoiding any issues with message delivery.

Whitelisting URLs/APK Files/OTT Links/ Call-back Numbers: Whitelist your URLs/APK files/OTT links/Call back Numbers that will be sent as part of the variable in the actual SMS using the CTA whitelisting feature. Below are the samples for CTA Whitelisting:

CTA Name	CTA Type	CTA Sub-Type	CTA Input
Sample 1	URL	Static URL	https://www.thetechdictionary.com
Sample 2	URL	Dynamic URL	https://www.thetechdictionary.com/blog-details/trainewrules2024sept?
Sample 3	URL	APK URL	https://github.com/markushi/blob/master/example.apk
Sample 4	URL	WhatsApp URL	https://wa.me/918436494009
Sample 5	Number	Mobile Number	8436494009
Sample 6	Number	Landline	2212345678
Sample 7	Number	Toll free	1800985673
Sample 8	Number	140 series	1409856378

Important Validation Checks:

Type	Validation	Remarks
Static URL	Should start with http, https or www	(?) Question mark not allowed
Dynamic URL	Should start with http, https or www	Mandatory to end in question mark (?)
APK URL	Should start with http, https or www	Mandatory to end with. apk
WhatsApp URL	Should start with http, https or www	Mobile number of INDIAN series to start with 91. (For 10 digits number) starts from 6-9
Mobile Number	Can start with 91 OR without 91	Mobile number (For 10 digits number) starts from 6-9
Land Line Number - 10 digit	10 digits	Can start with 0 OR without 0
Toll Free Number	Starts from 1800 & 1860 and can be 8 to 11 digits
140 & 160 Series	10 digits only

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please reach out to our support team at support@turaingrp.com

For Call Support Call On - +91 84367 51388

Why this is happaning ?

Of late, we have been receiving a large number of fraud-related complaints where the variable portions in the message templates are replaced with fraudulent URLs/APKs, etc., to cheat public at large. Unsuspecting victims fall prey to these messages and click on these URLs/APKs leading to download of spyware, screen mirroring software, etc. on their devices. Once this is done, fraudsters hack their devices and/or extract vital financial information to defraud them.

In view of the above, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued direction dated 20th August’24, instructing that all messages to carry only whitelisted URLs/APKs / OTT Links / Call back Numbers in the content, and no other URLs/APKs / OTT Links / Call back Numbers not whitelisted will be allowed to be delivered to the customers.
This is an additional measure to curb misuse of Headers and Content Templates, in conjunction with the provisions of the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018 (6 of 2018).

As per this new directive from TRAI, the following changes will be made to all A2P SMS:

* Principle Entity (PE) to ensure that the URLs, APKs, OTT links, or call back numbers that need to be sent in the messages to their customers should be whitelisted on the DLT portal by PE’s before sending the message to the customers.
* Effective from 1st September 2024, all Access Service Providers will be prohibited from transmitting messages containing URLs, APKs, OTT links, or call back numbers which have not been whitelisted by the PEs.
All the relevant details to this Direction are available in the TRAI press release as given on this link and also in the Direction document available on the Direction document link for your ready reference.
In view of the urgency to implement this Direction, we are working very diligently to be able to give you the whitelisting functionality in your DLT portal by 30th Aug’24. But in the meantime, we urge you to collate data of all your URLs/APKs/OTT links/CTAs, etc., in the format given below so that you are ready to upload and whitelist it the moment this facility is available on the portal. We do not want your valued customers to miss any of your important communication, so it becomes very important for you to keep this data ready in the next few days, well before the deadline.

Name URL
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in implementing these changes. Should you have any immediate questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our support team at support@turaingrp.com.

Fraudulent Messages:
Increasing complaints about messages with fraudulent URLs/APKs.
Victims download spyware or screen mirroring software, leading to device hacking and financial information theft.

TRAI Directive (20th August 2024):
All messages must carry only whitelisted URLs/APKs/OTT Links/Call back Numbers.
Non-whitelisted URLs/APKs/OTT Links/Call back Numbers will not be delivered to customers.

Regulation Compliance:
This measure complements the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018.

Changes to A2P SMS:
Principle Entity (PE): Ensure URLs, APKs, OTT links, or call back numbers are whitelisted on the DLT portal before sending messages.

Effective Date: 
From 1st September 2024, Access Service Providers cannot transmit messages with non-whitelisted URLs, APKs, OTT links, or call back numbers.

Preparation for Implementation:
Whitelisting functionality to be available on the DLT portal by 30th August 2024.
Entities should prepare data of all URLs/APKs/OTT links/CTAs in the specified format for uploading and whitelisting.

Urgency and Cooperation:
Emphasis on the importance of preparing data before the deadline to avoid disruption in communication.
Encouragement to reach out to the support team for any immediate questions.
These points summarize the essential actions and compliance requirements based on the TRAI directive. If you need further assistance or details, feel free to ask!

Thanks & Best regards
Turain Software Pvt Ltd 
 #bulksms #telecommunications #Turain #uccguidelines