Telecom Authority Of India Imposing New Rules To Curb the Use Of Fraudulent SIM Cards; Starting From Dec 1st

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is imposing new regulations to curb the use of fraudulent SIM cards, starting from December 1. The new rules are in response to the rising instances of unauthorized SIM card deactivations.

TRAI will now require SIM card dealers to undergo verification processes, including police verification and biometric registration. Telecom operators will be responsible for enforcing these regulations. Individuals selling SIM cards must register, and failure to do so may result in penalties of up to ₹10 lakhs. If the regulations are violated, dealerships can be canceled within three years.

Bulk purchases of SIM cards for commercial purposes can only be done through business accounts, ensuring that individuals can obtain only a limited number of SIM cards for personal use. Aadhar verification is mandatory, and the purchase of SIM cards using someone else’s active phone number is allowed only after 90 days.

The new controls were initially slated to come into effect in October but were postponed to address practical challenges. Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reported that over 52 lakh fake connections were identified and deactivated through the Mobile Seva Portal. The government introduced the “Sanchaar Sathi” portal to facilitate the reporting and blocking of stolen or lost mobile phones.

Unauthorized mobile connections can now be reported through the Sanchaar Sathi portal, developed by the Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). Additionally, the Advanced Software Technology Research Laboratory (ASTR) developed software to identify and rectify discrepancies in mobile connections.

These measures are part of the government’s efforts to control unauthorized mobile connections and improve overall security in the telecom sector.