The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has ordered all telcos to make a 30-second audio clip on coronavirus as a caller tune of mobile phone users in order to create awareness among masses about the epidemic.
To this end, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Reliance Jio have fully complied with DoT’s order, while other telcos are yet to follow.
While making calls to Jio and BSNL, callers will now listen to a recorded message on preventive steps against the illness. However, for Airtel, the service has been currently available only on calls made from Airtel numbers to Airtel numbers.
This caller tune has been added to users not having any active caller tune. However, users can remove this message, by activating a caller tune on their number.
The move follows a letter from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to the telecom secretary on March 5, 2020 on disseminating pertinent information on coronavirus through all channels of communication and from all possible vantage points. Further, it also sought a direction to telcos to send bulk SMS/PUSH notification on the simple dos and don’ts to all the clients.
