The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked all telecom operators in the country to remove pre-call COVID-19 announcements. These pre-call announcements have been running for more than two years for the users. The aim was to spread awareness about coronavirus and how citizens should stay safe from it. But after a period of two years, pre-call recording has served its purpose and is no longer needed.
Right now, all these pre-call announcements regarding COVID-19 are overloading the network as there is always a delay whenever users make a call.
DoT asks telcos to remove pre-call announcements related to COVID-19
According to a PTI report, in an order dated March 29, the DoT has asked telecom operators to withdraw all COVID-19 pre-call announcements and caller tunes. The Department of Telecommunications had sought permission from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to do so.
Health Ministry gave its approval to DoT and without any delay, DoT has asked telcos to remove pre-call announcements related to COVID-19.
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Important emergency calls were getting delayed due to pre-call announcements. Thus, DoT has decided that they are no longer required.
– People already know about coronavirus and understand how they can protect themselves from getting infected with COVID-19 virus. This is good news for every consumer in India who uses prepaid/postpaid voice calling services from telecom operators in the country.
– Initially, the caller tune on COVID-19 used to start with an advisory about the precautions to be taken when people cough, sneeze and then protect against coronavirus. Later, the message was changed and the new message urged people to get vaccinated.
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When will the corona call tune be removed!
The government has no plans to bring back the pre-call announcements related to COVID-19 for now. Since the order has already expired, the telco will remove the pre-call recordings, but the exact date is unknown. If you are still getting announcements before the call, don’t worry, they will be removed soon.
(photo credit- keralakaumudi)