The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) demand for a separate identifiable landline number series, in line with a mobile series for telemarketers, has hit a roadblock, according to news reports. This is because the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has said that this could breach security at the telecom exchange level.
The DoT added that most of the work in the case of landlines is done manually and a fixed line network is not automatic, as a mobile network is. The DoT also said that currently, all calls from a landline can be identified based on the STD codes and levels (digits following STD codes) which differ from exchange to exchange within a city.
In case the identifiable series of ‘140’ is used, it will impact the numbering system being used at present for allocating new connections. Also, it will be difficult for security agencies to track calls as it will display the uniform code instead of the STD code for connections across the country.
Thus, the DoT said, operators will have to install a separate Rural Automatic exchange (RAX) to allocate a new number series. However, DoT has expressed apprehensions in this regard, as it feels that installing a separate RAX for a separate number series will lead to a security breach. This is because a separate RAX can help an undesirable element access the telecom network by manipulating an employee at a lower level.
