DoT Simplifies These KYC Rules To Boost Telecom Reforms

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, Government of India, announced a set of directives streamlining KYC processes and thereby boosting the telecom improvements approved by the Cabinet on September 15, 2021. Shri AshwiniVaishnaw, Minister of Communications, reportedly announced that "Telecom Reforms aim to provide world class internet and tele-connectivity for the marginalised section."

A customer is currently required to go through the KYC procedure, which involves visiting a Point of Sale with original documents of proof of identity and address in order to get a new mobile connection or convert a mobile connection from prepaid to postpaid or vice versa.

DoT has added in the press report of PIB that "Online service delivery has become an acceptable norm in the recent past and most of the customer services are being offered through internet with OTP authentication. Contactless services in the COVID era needs to be promoted for subscriber convenience and also for ease of doing business. Customer consent has been made compulsory in case the Aadhaar is being used and demographic details are being obtained electronically from UIDAI."

As a result, the Department of Telecommunication has issued the following directives for immediate implementation to establish contactless, customer-centric, and secure KYC processes: -

Aadhaar based e-KYC: Aadhaar based e-KYC process has been re-introduced for issuing of new mobile connections. Telecom Service Providers will be charged Rs. 1/- per customer authentication by the UIDAI. This is a complete paperless and digital process wherein the demographic details along with picture of the customer is received online by the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) from the UIDAI.

Self-KYC: In this process, the issuing of mobile connection to the customers is done through an App/Portal based online process wherein a customer can apply for mobile connection sitting at home/office and gets the SIM delivered at his doorstep using documents electronically verified by UIDAI or DigiLocker.

OTP based conversion of mobile connection from Prepaid to Postpaid and vice-versa: The implementation of OTP based conversion process enables a subscriber to convert his mobile connection from Prepaid to Postpaid and vice-versa sitting at home/office via OTP based authentication.

Here you can see a list of initiatives in detail.