Important update regarding the TRAI regulation TCCCPR 2018, which involves the binding of Principal Entities (PEs) and Telemarketers on the DLT platform for SMS services.

According to the regulation, all entities engaged in commercial communication -such as Telemarketers, Aggregators, and Principal Entities - must register on the DLT platform to ensure compliance. Principal Entities are required to declare their corresponding Telemarketers, Aggregators, and Delivery Telemarketers to maintain visibility throughout the communication chain.

This initiative aims to prevent fraudulent communications and the misuse of Headers and Content Templates, ensuring end-to-end traceability of messages. PEs will have access to information about all authorized Telemarketers in their communication chain.

Please note that if the binding is not properly set up on the DLT platform, SMS messages will be dropped during the scrubbing process.

Key Dates:

• The scrubbing process for PE-TM binding will go live on December 1, 2024. Only messages from complete, compliant chains will be delivered; non-compliant messages will be scrubbed.
• The registration process for declaring your Telemarketer/Aggregator/Delivery Telemarketer will be available starting October 17, 2024.

Overview of Principal Entity and Telemarketer Binding Process on DLT Platforms.

The Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) platform is a crucial component in the regulation of bulk SMS communications in India, particularly under the guidelines set by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). This system aims to enhance transparency, reduce spam, and ensure that only legitimate businesses can send promotional messages.

Principal Entity: This refers to any individual or business entity that intends to send SMS messages to customers. They are responsible for acquiring consent from customers and must register on the DLT platform to operate legally.

Telemarketer: A telemarketer is a Bulk SMS Service Provider that sends messages on behalf of the Principal Entity. They facilitate the delivery of SMS and must also register on the DLT platform to provide their services.

Registration Process

The registration process on a DLT platform consists of several key steps for both Principal Entities and Telemarketers:

Entity Registration: Principal Entities need to register their business by providing necessary documents such as PAN, GST certificates, and proof of address. This step assigns them a unique Entity ID.

Header (Sender ID) Registration: After registering as an entity, the next step involves registering a unique Sender ID. This ID is essential for sending messages and must be approved by the DLT platform.

Template Registration: Each message template that will be used for communication also needs to be registered. The templates are categorized based on their purpose (promotional, transactional, etc.) and must comply with TRAI regulations.

Consent Management: Principal Entities must obtain explicit consent from customers before sending promotional messages. This consent must be recorded on the DLT platform, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.

Functions of Principal Entities and Telemarketers

Principal Entity Responsibilities:

• Register on the DLT platform.
• Select a Registered Telemarketer (RTM) for sending SMS.
• Acquire customer consent through various channels (SMS, web, mobile apps) and upload it to the DLT system.
• Register message headers and templates.

Telemarketer Responsibilities

• Register on the DLT platform.
• Manage headers and templates for Principal Entities.
• Scrub promotional texts to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Maintain records of all sent promotional.

PE TM Binding Process

The binding process refers to how messages flow from the Principal Entity through Registered Telemarketers (RTMs) to the telecom operator's network. This process includes:

Declaration of Telemarketer Chain: The Principal Entity must declare all Registered Telemarketers involved in sending their messages. This ensures that all intermediaries in the communication chain are compliant with TRAI regulations.

Minimum Intermediaries: To maintain data confidentiality, it is recommended that there are minimal intermediaries between the Principal Entity and the telecom operator. Ideally, there should be no more than one or two RTMs in this chain.

Step to Principal Entity Chain Binding Process DLT Platform

Process Overview:

• Log in to your respective DLT portal (Users must log into their respective DLT portal to initiate the binding process.)
• Locate and click on the “PE-TM Chain” or “Manage Telemarketer” tab.
• Click on “New Chain.”
• Enter the “Telemarketer ID”: 1102461800000042573 or MicroNet Infocom & Logistics Pvt Ltd
• Click “Submit.” at least 4 requests for our Telemarketer ID (to bind with multiple aggregators).

Note: We are directly connected with telecom operator but registering our Telemarketer-ID multiple times ensures multiple chain connectivity for seamless SMS delivery, even during technical glitches.

The status will appear as “Pending.”

Next Steps:

Inform the Telemarketer to acknowledge it on their DLT login.

If the Telemarketer is linked to another Aggregator/Telemarketer, they must declare the next entity in the chain during approval.

Conclusion:

The DLT platform serves as an essential regulatory framework for bulk SMS communications in India, ensuring that both Principal Entities and Telemarketers operate within legal boundaries while promoting consumer protection against unsolicited messages. Adhering to these guidelines is crucial for maintaining compliance and fostering trust in digital communications.