Block Unwanted SMSes On Your Hutch Connection

Block Unwanted SMSes On Your Hutch Connection

All you have to do is send the text DND as an SMS to 111.

You thought it was that easy huh? Hell no. Your trauma begins now. India might be the fastest growing telecom market in the world, but cellular operators here require 72 hours to implement a tiny change. Here’s my story in chronological order.

Early 2006

At a Hutch customer care centre, I was told that it is impossible to block promotional SMSes. “We just cannot do it Sir,” was the punch line thrown at me.

December 14, 2006 - 11:04

Message from Hutch: Hi! In case you do not wish to receive any promotional calls and SMS from Hutch, you may send DND as an SMS to 111 (toll-free). Thank you.

Me: What? But I thought this is impossible. Well…Hurrah! As instructed, I sent the message DND to 111.

December 14, 2006 - 10:55 (Huh?)

We respect your privacy. Please give us 72 hours to include your number on our Do Not Disturb list. Thank you.

Me: What the *uck! It doesn’t take 72 *ucking hours to add a *ucking number to a *ucking database. Come on. We are supposed to be the IT wonderland. I can almost visualize a flood of spam within the next 72 hours. What a *ucking scam. And why the *uck didn’t you mention this in your *ucking message. Why the *uck don’t you understand that I just sent you a *ucking DND message?

My prediction turns true.

December 15, 2006 - 09:54

Hutch Spam SMS #1: Get your name as LOGO on your phone screen! Sms MYLOGO [fontno] [name] to 8243. Eg MYLOGO 8 RAHUL. For Nokia phones only. Font range 1-16. Rs 3/logo.

December 15, 2006 - 13:47

Hutch Spam SMS #2: Get sizzling Mona Chopra’s best images. Click on the link http://202.87.41.147/hungamawap/hutch/1800/index.php3

December 16, 2006 - 15:05

Hutch Spam SMS #3: Kabul Express ki shooting Bangladesh mein ki gayi. Jawab dijiye aur jitiye Kabul Express ke FREE tickets. Sms YES or NO to 123. Rs 2/SMS.

December 16, 2006 - 15:47

Hutch Spam SMS #4: All new KINGFISHER Calendar models’ images and 2007 Calendar Application for your mobile! Click on the link http://202.87.41.147/hungamawap/hutch/2358/

As my friend once said, “Incredible India! But where’s the credibility?”

December 18, 2006 - 06:00

The 72-hour wait seems to be over. Haven’t received a spam SMS in the last 36 hours.

Update - December 18, 2006 - 10:19

Aaaaaaaarrrrrrgggggghhhhhhh!!! Spoke too soon. I should have known better than to trust these lousy cellular operators.

Hutch Spam SMS #5: Now check the PNR status of your railway tickets on SMS. Simply send IRPNR (PNR No.) as SMS to 123. Eg IRPNR 8023453297. Rs 2/SMS only.