Vodafone Idea (Vi) recorded the highest number of complaints involving unsolicited commercial communications among India’s major telecom operators during the July–September 2026 quarter, according to data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The company received 539,285 complaints related to spam calls and messages originating from its network, placing it ahead of Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio.
TRAI’s latest quarterly report also revealed that Vodafone Idea barred 47,249 telecom resources for 15 days following first-time violations of regulations governing unsolicited commercial communications. Across the telecom industry, operators registered approximately 1.53 million spam complaints during the quarter, disconnected 13,777 resources for repeated violations and used artificial intelligence systems to identify nearly 19.9 billion suspected spam calls and messages.
Vodafone Idea Records the Highest Number of Spam Complaints
Vodafone Idea topped the list of telecom operators in complaints related to unsolicited commercial communications during Q2 FY27.
The company recorded 539,285 complaints involving spam calls and SMS originating from its network between July and September 2026.
Bharti Airtel ranked second with 352,062 complaints, while Reliance Jio recorded 293,716 complaints during the same period.
The figures indicate that Vodafone Idea accounted for the largest share of complaints among the three major private telecom operators covered in the report.
However, complaint volumes alone do not establish the proportion of spam activity relative to each operator’s subscriber base or total outgoing communications. They represent complaints associated with communications originating from the respective networks.
Spam Complaints by Telecom Operator
| Telecom operator | UCC complaints in Q2 FY27 |
|---|---|
| Vodafone Idea | 539,285 |
| Bharti Airtel | 352,062 |
| Reliance Jio | 293,716 |
The data highlights the scale of the spam problem across India’s telecom networks and the enforcement measures being taken against senders violating commercial communication rules.
Vodafone Idea Bars 47,249 Telecom Resources
Alongside recording the highest number of complaints, Vodafone Idea also barred 47,249 telecom resources for 15 days following first-time violations.
Under TRAI’s framework, telecom resources associated with senders found violating unsolicited commercial communication regulations can face restrictions and disconnection.
A first-time violation can result in a temporary restriction, while repeated violations can lead to longer-term disconnection.
Airtel barred 34,703 telecom resources for 15 days, while Tata Teleservices barred 26,539 resources. Reliance Jio barred 1,800 resources during the quarter.
Across all operators, approximately 110,000 telecom resources were barred for 15 days following first-time violations.
The regulator also reported that 13,777 telecom resources were disconnected for one year because of repeated violations.
Enforcement Actions Against Spam Senders
| Telecom operator | Resources barred for 15 days |
|---|---|
| Vodafone Idea | 47,249 |
| Bharti Airtel | 34,703 |
| Tata Teleservices | 26,539 |
| Reliance Jio | 1,800 |
For repeat violations, Airtel disconnected 7,889 telecom resources, Jio disconnected 4,963 and Vodafone Idea disconnected 355.
The enforcement measures are intended to prevent individuals and businesses from repeatedly using telecom connections to distribute unwanted commercial calls and messages.
TRAI Receives 1.53 Million Spam Complaints in Q2
Across the Indian telecom industry, TRAI recorded approximately 1.529 million complaints involving unsolicited commercial communications during the July–September quarter.
Of these, 723,831 complaints were classified as actionable.
The regulator’s data also provides context for the scale of telecom activity during the period. Approximately 714.01 billion outgoing calls originated across Indian telecom networks.
Against this volume, the 1.529 million complaints represented around 2.14 complaints per million outgoing calls.
Although the number of complaints is significant, it represents only a portion of the overall communications traffic handled by operators.
The distinction between total complaints and actionable complaints is important because not every reported communication necessarily results in enforcement action. Complaints must be assessed under the applicable regulatory framework.
Telecom Operators Flag 19.9 Billion Suspected Spam Calls and SMS Using AI
Artificial intelligence has become an important part of India’s efforts to identify and reduce unwanted commercial communications.
During Q2 FY27, telecom operators deployed AI-based systems to identify suspected spam calls and messages.
The systems flagged approximately 18.28 billion incoming calls and 1.62 billion incoming SMS as suspected spam.
Together, these systems identified nearly 19.9 billion potentially unwanted communications during the quarter.
AI-based analysis helps operators identify suspicious communication patterns, including repeated calling activity and unusual messaging behaviour.
The technology can also identify telecom resources that may be associated with high-probability spam activity.
According to the reported data, AI systems identified approximately 13.29 million calling line identities with a high probability of being used for spam.
Operators subsequently issued 4.59 million warning notifications to suspected senders.
Additionally, 34,025 suspected unsolicited commercial communication senders underwent electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) verification. A total of 9,977 connections were disconnected after failing the verification process.
These measures are designed to make it more difficult for senders to use multiple connections or improperly verified identities to distribute spam.
TRAI Blocks Promotional Calls and SMS Through Designated Numbering Series
TRAI has introduced designated numbering systems to help consumers identify different categories of commercial and service-related communications.
The 140 series is used for promotional calls, allowing consumers to distinguish marketing communications from ordinary calls.
During Q2 FY27, approximately 15.27 billion promotional calls originated through the 140 series.
Of these, 1.70 billion calls were blocked after verification against customers’ registered Do Not Disturb preferences.
The regulator also reported that 11.09 billion promotional SMS messages were blocked after checking consumers’ registered preferences.
The 1600 series is used for service and transactional calls from entities in banking, financial services and insurance, as well as government-to-citizen communications.
A separate 1601 series was introduced on August 10, 2026, for service and transactional calls from utilities, logistics and delivery companies.
Calls originating from the 1600 series reached approximately 1.27 billion during the quarter.
These numbering systems are intended to improve transparency and help consumers identify the nature of incoming commercial communications.
How Consumers Can Report Spam Calls and Messages
TRAI allows mobile subscribers to report unsolicited commercial communications through their telecom operator or the regulator’s designated complaint mechanisms.
Consumers can use the TRAI DND application or contact the short code 1909 to report unwanted promotional calls and messages.
The regulator also allows subscribers to register their preferences through the National Customer Preference Register, commonly known as the Do Not Disturb registry.
Consumers can choose to block all promotional communications or select specific categories, including banking, real estate, education, health, consumer goods, entertainment and tourism.
Under TRAI’s complaint framework, subscribers can report unsolicited commercial communications received after the applicable seven-day registration period. Complaints should generally be submitted within three days of receiving the communication.
The system allows telecom operators to investigate complaints and take action against senders found violating the regulations.
The Bigger Picture
TRAI’s latest figures show that spam prevention has become a major operational and regulatory issue for India’s telecom industry. The combination of complaint-based enforcement, temporary barring, long-term disconnections, sender verification and AI-based detection reflects an increasingly technology-driven approach to controlling unsolicited commercial communications.
Vodafone Idea’s position at the top of the complaint list is notable, but the figures should be interpreted carefully. Complaint totals do not independently measure the rate of spam per subscriber or establish that every complaint represents a confirmed violation. The broader industry figures, particularly the nearly 19.9 billion suspected communications flagged by AI systems, demonstrate the scale of the challenge facing telecom operators.
Looking Ahead
Telecom operators are likely to continue investing in AI-based spam detection and stronger verification systems as TRAI increases its focus on consumer protection. The effectiveness of these measures will depend on how quickly operators identify repeat offenders, investigate complaints and prevent disconnected senders from returning through new connections.
For consumers, registering DND preferences and reporting unwanted calls and messages remain important steps. For telecom companies, the latest data highlights the need to strengthen network monitoring and sender verification while maintaining reliable communication services for legitimate businesses and customers.
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