Around more than a billion smartphone users can expect a significant respite from the spam messages and calls as the Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio Infocomm start to roll out the blockchain based technology with the partnership with the Tech Mahindra and Tanla Solutions.
The deployment is in line with the TRAI regulations, which will come into an immediate effect by the end of the month, to end the unsolicited commercial communication, or spam calls or messages. Subscribers will also be able to set their communication preferences and consents on the back of this technology.
Vodafone Idea has some around 400 Million subscribers, while on the other hand, Jio has 307 million users. Bharti Airtel with more than 325 Million users, has already made a similar deployment in a tie-up with the IBM.
Vodafone Idea has also signed a multi-year contract with the Tanla solutions to deploy the technology, along with the help of a regulatory sandbox and production platform.
“Deployment is underway and will help in arresting spam and fraud-related commercial communications for Vodafone Idea subscribers,” a Tanla spokesperson told in a report, adding that Tanla was also helping Airtel for implementation of the network.
Rajan Mathews, director-general, Cellular Operators Association of India, said COAI had been working to bring everyone on board for deploying the distributed ledger technology. “Everybody that is in the ecosystem has to participate, including (state-run) BSNL,” he said, adding: “Telcos have to have a standard operating procedure that has now been put in place.”