Indian telco says it’s blocked 8 billion spam calls using AI — in just 2 months

India’s telecom sector is taking significant strides in combating unwanted communications, with Airtel leading the charge through its AI-powered spam detection system that has already identified billions of suspicious calls and messages.

Key achievements and impact: Airtel’s AI solution has successfully flagged 8 billion spam calls and 0.8 billion spam SMSes in just two and a half months since its launch.

• The system identifies approximately 1 million spammers daily using advanced algorithms
• 252 million unique users have received alerts about suspicious activity
• Customer response to spam calls has decreased by 12 percent
• The system analyzes multiple parameters in real-time to identify unwanted communications

Spam patterns and demographics: Analysis of the data reveals clear patterns in how spam affects different user segments and regions across India.

• 6 percent of all calls and 2 percent of SMSes on Airtel’s network were identified as spam
• 35 percent of spammers utilize landline numbers
• Male customers receive 76 percent of spam calls
• Adults aged 36-60 years are the most targeted, receiving 48 percent of spam calls
• Users with devices in the Rs 15,000-20,000 price range receive 22 percent of spam calls

Geographic distribution: The impact and origin of spam communications vary significantly by region across India.

• Delhi leads in receiving spam calls, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Western Uttar Pradesh
• Most spam calls originate from Delhi, Mumbai, and Karnataka
• Gujarat, Kolkata, and Uttar Pradesh generate the highest volume of spam SMSes
• Mumbai, Chennai, and Gujarat receive the most spam messages

Temporal patterns: Clear timing patterns emerge in spam communication activity.

• Peak spam activity occurs between 12 PM and 3 PM
• Sundays show a 40 percent reduction in spam activity compared to other days
• The timing patterns suggest spammers operate primarily during standard business hours

Regulatory response: The Indian government has implemented new measures to help consumers identify legitimate communications.

• A new 10-digit number series with 160 prefix has been introduced for trusted entities
• The 140 prefix continues to be used for promotional calls from unsubscribed users
• The system maintains special provisions for customers who haven’t opted for Do Not Disturb (DND)

Future implications: While Airtel’s AI system marks a significant advancement in spam prevention, the challenge of unwanted communications continues to evolve, requiring ongoing technological adaptation and regulatory oversight to maintain effectiveness.