Principal Entity (PE) & Telemarketer (TM) Chain Binding Process DLT Platform
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
November 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.
Definitions
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.
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 & Mysmsmantra Chain Binding
Process DLT Platform
Process Overview:
- Log in to the TTL DLT Platform
- Select the “Manage Telemarketer Relationship” tab and choose “Create New
Chain Request.”
- Enter
the DLT ID of your corresponding
Telemarketer; the name will auto-populate (please verify before
submission).
- After submitting the request, 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.
