TRAI has introduced the 1601 number series for utility, courier and logistics companies to make service calls more identifiable and curb voice-based fraud in a phased rollout beginning with essential service sectors.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a fresh directive introducing the 1601 numbering series, aimed at transactional and service calls placed by entities outside the banking and government space. The move extends the framework already in place for the 1600 series, which remains reserved exclusively for calls from the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance sector along with government bodies.

Why the new series was introduced

The regulator's intent behind the fresh numbering block is to create a visible separation between calls tied to financial transactions and those from other consumer-facing industries carrying out routine service communication. With this distinction in place, callers can be identified more easily, which the regulator expects will curb the growing menace of fraud carried out over voice calls impersonating legitimate businesses.

How the rollout will work