I received an email from Way2SMS just now telling me how my free Way2SMS account is going to get affected, due to the new regulations from TRAI governing the SMS industry in India. People must note that these regulations are aimed at curbing the sending of unsolicited commercial SMSes to customers.
If you are a Way2SMS user, you must have got one too, and if you haven’t you’d sooner or later get one. I think the impact is same for different free SMS-vendors like Way2SMS, 160by2, AtroChatro, FullOnSMS. Here are the major points which you should know:
- You won’t be allowed to send SMS between 9PM and 9AM using the service. So, remember to have your phone balance refilled, or have an SMS pack ready if you want to be able to send messages to closed ones.
- If someone’s on DND (do not disturb) registry created by TRAI, then he/she would not receive any SMSes sent through services like Way2SMS and 160by2. So, if you are sending an important message, either make sure that the person is not in the DND registry or instead send the SMS from your phone.
- Even if you feel that no I don’t see any impact on me as I use Way2SMS during the day – and that my friend is not on DND, you must know that due to the new regulations, your mobile number will not be displayed as the sender.
TRAI’s Mistake
TRAI unfortunately has only categorized messages as transactional and promotional. They haven’t addressed the “personal messaging category” in the new set rules. So, free SMS vendors like Way2SMS and 160by2 have been affected, as they are now considered under the promotional messaging category.
My Verdict
I feel that the government brought out a wonderful policy, which was needed by many of us as SMS marketing had really invaded our private space. But, I feel that the government should have considered free messaging platforms as exceptions, especially because they are used by many for emergency circumstances as well as at times for personal bulk messaging (not the marketing types, but sending invitations to a large group of friends for family functions).
I personally am happy with the new regulations, but feel that the rules have affected me more than helping me out as I am unable to send a message to my friend at night using Way2SMS, if I do not have any balance in my phone. Many others would echo my thoughts as well.
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