In recent times, the adoption of flash calls, also known as missed calls, has seen a significant rise in India, particularly among the enterprises seeking authentication on Android devices. These flash calls don’t work on iPhones as iOS security does not let the applications access information on calls received. However, this trend has sparked both interest and concern within the telecom sector.Â
A flash call is a quick missed call that is commonly used for mobile number authentication, especially during app installations. Unlike the traditional two-factor authentication (2FA) methods, it requires no action from the user. Instead it utilizes the digits from a part of the incoming calling number and these digits are used as the passcode, ensuring fast and easy verification.Â
With the recent hike in international calling and messaging rates by telecom service providers in India, businesses have been looking for alternative authentication methods, leading to a substantial rise in the volume of flash calls. As these calls offer a convenient and cost-effective solution for authentication, it became a popular choice among the businesses.Â
Telecom companies express their concern about potential revenue loss, estimated at nearly 200 crore annually, as missed calls do not incur termination charges. However, for aggregators, who act as a connection between businesses and telecom service providers, flash calls present a unique opportunity to save costs, as they bypass termination fees altogether. So, while phone companies struggle with money issues, aggregators benefit from the rise in flash calls to make communication easier and cheaper.Â
As the telecom industry struggles with the rising issue of flash calls, regulatory bodies like the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India(TRAI) are yet to address these concerns comprehensively.Â
Stay tuned for further updates as Telecom Regulatory Authority of India(TRAI) is expected to release guidelines or directions regarding the use of flash calls in the near future!