PE-TM Binding in DLT: Complete Compliance Guide
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What is PE-TM Binding in DLT?
PE-TM (Principal Entity - Telemarketer) Binding is a mandatory compliance requirement introduced by TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) under the TCCCPR 2018 regulations to enhance transparency and reduce spam in commercial SMS communications across India. This binding process creates a verified chain of entities involved in sending bulk SMS messages, from the business owner to the final delivery partner.
With over 1.5 to 1.7 billion commercial messages sent daily in India (approximately 55 billion monthly), PE-TM binding ensures complete visibility and accountability in the SMS delivery ecosystem. Every Principal Entity must now register their complete telemarketer chain on DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) platforms operated by major telecom service providers including Jio TrueConnect, Airtel DLT, BSNL UCC, Vi DLT, and other authorized platforms.
Important: As per TRAI directives, all commercial SMS traffic must flow through registered PE-TM chains with proper hash validation. Non-compliant messages will be rejected at the DLT scrubber level, preventing delivery to end customers.
Understanding Key Stakeholders in PE-TM Chain
Principal Entity (PE)
The business, company, sole proprietor, partnership firm, or government organization that wants to send commercial communications to customers. PEs must register on DLT platforms and ensure compliance with TRAI regulations including customer consent management.
Telemarketer Aggregator (TM-AF)
An intermediary entity that receives traffic from Principal Entities or other aggregators and forwards it to the next entity in the chain. TM-AF acts as a bridge but does not directly interact with telecom service providers for final message delivery.
Telemarketer Delivery (TM-D)
The final entity in the chain responsible for submitting SMS traffic directly to Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) or Originating Access Providers (OAPs). TM-D generates the SHA256 hash of the complete chain for validation at DLT scrubber.
Telecom Service Provider (TSP/OAP)
Mobile network operators like Jio, Airtel, Vi, BSNL that provide the infrastructure for SMS delivery. They validate the PE-TM chain hash before allowing message transmission to ensure regulatory compliance.
Why Choose Techto Networks as Your Telemarketer Delivery Partner?
Techto Networks is a TRAI-registered, fully compliant Telemarketer Delivery platform offering enterprise-grade SMS solutions with superior delivery rates and comprehensive support across all major DLT platforms in India.
🚀 99.9% Delivery Rate
Industry-leading SMS delivery success with real-time monitoring
✅ Multi-DLT Support
Registered across Jio, Airtel, Vi, BSNL DLT platforms
🔒 Complete Compliance
SHA256 hash generation and validation handled automatically
⚡ Instant Activation
Quick PE-TM chain setup within 24-48 hours
💰 Competitive Pricing
Transparent pricing with no hidden charges
🛠️ Technical Support
Dedicated support team for seamless integration
How PE-TM Binding Works: Technical Process Flow
The PE-TM binding process involves creating a verified chain where each entity adds their identifier, culminating in a cryptographic hash that validates the entire chain. Here's the detailed technical workflow:
Step-by-Step Chain Creation Process
1
Principal Entity Initiates Chain:
PE logs into their DLT portal (Jio TrueConnect, Airtel DLT, BSNL UCC, Vi DLT, or Vilpower) and creates a new PE-TM chain by searching and selecting their immediate telemarketer (either TM-AF or TM-D). The PE provides a chain name and submits the request.
2
First Telemarketer Approval:
The selected telemarketer receives an email notification and logs into the DLT portal to review the chain request. They must declare their role as either Telemarketer Aggregator (if passing to another TM) or Telemarketer Delivery (if submitting directly to TSP).
3
Chain Progression (If Applicable):
If a Telemarketer Aggregator is involved, they select the next entity in the chain (either another TM-AF or the final TM-D). This process continues until a Telemarketer Delivery is designated, which marks the end of the chain.
4
Telemarketer Delivery Acceptance:
The designated TM-D reviews and approves the chain request. At this stage, TM-D cannot select any further entities as they are the final point before TSP submission. A notification is sent back to the PE for final approval.
5
PE Final Approval:
The Principal Entity receives the complete end-to-end chain for review, showing all intermediate entities (PE → TM-AF → TM-AF → TM-D). PE must approve this complete chain to finalize the registration.
6
Chain Registration Complete:
Once PE approves, the chain status changes from "Pending" to "Registered" and a unique Chain ID is generated. This chain is now active and can be used for SMS traffic submission with proper hash validation.
Chain Length Requirement:
If the total number of entities in a chain exceeds 3 participants, all parties (PE and TMs) must provide written justification for the extended chain. TRAI recommends keeping chains as short as possible to maintain transparency.
Technical Implementation: Hash Generation and Validation
The PE-TM binding process involves creating a verified chain where each entity adds their identifier, culminating in a cryptographic hash that validates the entire chain. Here's the detailed technical workflow:
Hash Generation Process by TM-D
When submitting SMS traffic, the Telemarketer Delivery platform performs the following operations:
1. Data Collection
TM-D collects all entity IDs from the chain: PE ID from PEID TLV parameter (TLV 1400 in SMPP), intermediate TM IDs from TM ID TLV (TLV 1402), and adds its own TMD ID.
2. Chain Formation
All IDs are concatenated in order with comma separation: PEID,TM1ID,TM2ID,TMD_ID. Example: 1701123456899999651,1702123456789999954,1702123456789543111,1702123456789651346
3. SHA256 Hashing
The complete chain string is processed through SHA256 algorithm to generate a 64-character hexadecimal hash: 9faf65ab74452107bfe33b30dc220106901d3456f8b425ff0b70f617cca508b4
4. Hash Submission
The generated hash is placed in the TM ID TLV parameter (TLV 1402 for SMPP) when submitting the message to the Operator's DLT scrubber for validation.
DLT Validation at Operator End
When the message reaches the telecom operator's DLT scrubber, the system:
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Extracts the hash value from the TM ID TLV parameter
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Retrieves the registered PE-TM chain definition from the DLT database
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Generates the expected hash from the stored chain configuration
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Compares the submitted hash with the expected hash
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Allows message delivery only if both hashes match exactly
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Rejects messages with error codes if chain is undefined or hash mismatch occurs
With Techto Networks as your TM-D: All hash generation, TLV parameter handling, and validation processes are managed automatically by our platform. You don't need to worry about technical implementation details - just register your chain and start sending!
Benefits of PE-TM Binding with Techto Networks
Common PE-TM Binding Scenarios and Use Cases
Scenario 1: Direct PE to TM-D (Simplest Chain)
Chain Structure: PE → Techto Networks (TM-D) → TSP
This is the most straightforward implementation where your business directly contracts with Techto Networks for SMS delivery without any intermediaries. Ideal for businesses with direct relationships and requiring maximum simplicity and transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What happens if I don't register a PE-TM chain?
Without a registered PE-TM chain, your SMS messages will be rejected at the DLT scrubber level and will not be delivered to end customers. This can severely impact your business communications, marketing campaigns, and transactional message delivery.
How long does PE-TM chain registration take?
With Techto Networks, chain registration typically completes within 24-48 hours once you initiate the request. We monitor all pending requests and approve them promptly to minimize delays in your SMS operations.
Can I have multiple PE-TM chains?
Yes, you can create multiple chains for different business units, campaigns, or telemarketer relationships. Each chain receives a unique Chain ID and operates independently with separate hash validation.
What is the SHA256 hash and why is it important?
SHA256 is a cryptographic hashing algorithm that creates a unique 64-character fingerprint of your PE-TM chain. This hash ensures that only registered, authorized chains can deliver messages, preventing unauthorized use and maintaining system integrity. Techto Networks handles all hash generation automatically.
Can I change my PE-TM chain after registration?
Changes to registered chains require creating a new chain registration and obtaining approvals from all parties. The old chain can be deactivated once the new chain is registered and tested. Techto Networks can assist with migration planning to ensure zero downtime.
What if I work with multiple aggregators?
You can create separate PE-TM chains for each aggregator relationship. For example: Chain 1 (PE → TM-AF1 → Techto) and Chain 2 (PE → TM-AF2 → Techto). Each chain operates independently with its own hash validation.
Are there any costs for PE-TM chain registration?
Chain registration on DLT portals is typically free. However, SMS delivery through Techto Networks is charged based on message volume and pricing plans. Contact our sales team for detailed pricing information tailored to your requirements.