The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued recommendations to define International Traffic, International SMS, and Domestic SMS as part of its efforts to streamline telecommunications regulations. The recommendations follow a request from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in August 2022.
Also Read: TRAI Releases Consultation on Definition of International Traffic
Background of TRAI's Recommendations
A consultation paper on the subject - Definition of International Traffic - was released in May 2023, gathering input from 20 stakeholders and seven counter-comments. An open house discussion was held in August 2023 to finalise the definitions. TRAI has now released its definitions of international traffic in a statement dated December 10.
Key Definitions Introduced by TRAI
International Traffic: Defined as traffic that originates in one country and terminates in another, with one country being India.
International SMS: Defined as international traffic delivered using SMS.
Explanation: Any Incoming application-to-person (A2P) SMS will be treated as international if it involves systems or devices located outside India.
Domestic Traffic: Defined as traffic that originates and terminates within India.
Domestic SMS: Defined as domestic traffic delivered via SMS.
Also Read: TRAI Dismisses Concerns Over OTP Delivery Delays Amid New Traceability Guidelines
These definitions will be included in telecom service licenses to ensure clarity and consistency in traffic categorisation.
