TRAI Launches 1601-Series Numbers for Utility and Logistics Calls

HYDERABAD — The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has initiated the phase-wise rollout of 1601-series numbers for service and transactional voice calls made by entities outside the banking, financial services, insurance, and government sectors. Announced on August 10, 2026, the regulatory direction requires telecom service providers to complete the onboarding and migration of eligible Phase-I entities within 90 days.

The initial phase of the rollout focuses specifically on organizations in the utilities, courier, and logistics sectors. Utility entities eligible for the new series include electricity distribution companies, water utilities, city gas distribution entities, and LPG distribution providers. The courier and logistics category covers courier companies, express logistics firms, parcel delivery services, and freight service providers.

TRAI designated a separate series for non-BFSI and non-government businesses considering the sensitive nature of financial and official communications. The objective is to prevent general service and transactional calls from mixing with critical government and financial voice communications. The move follows the adoption of the 1600-series numbers by BFSI entities, which the regulator said supplied valuable operational experience for expanding the trusted numbering framework.

Under the directive, 1601-series numbers will be allocated directly to verified eligible entities rather than through aggregators or intermediaries. Telecom service providers must verify entity eligibility prior to assigning numbers and must secure an undertaking that the numbers will be used solely for transactional and service communications.

TRAI emphasized that 1601-series numbers cannot be utilized for promotional voice calls by any entity. The established identity is designed to combat impersonation fraud carried out through ordinary 10-digit numbers, enabling consumers to easily identify legitimate business communications and restoring trust in voice calls.

Telecom service providers must finish onboarding all eligible Phase-I entities within 90 days of the order's issuance.