Telecom Reforms: Govt Simplifies KYC Processes, Now Get Mobile SIM At Doorstep Using Aadhar, DigiLocker Documents

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications on Tuesday (21 September) issued a series of orders simplifying the Know-Your-Customer (KYC) processes and thereby initiating the telecom reforms announced by the Modi Cabinet on 15 September.

At present, a subscriber has to undergo KYC process which entails visit to the point of sale along with the original documents of identity and address as proof for obtaining new mobile connection or conversion of mobile connection from prepaid to postpaid or vice-versa, the Union Ministry of Communications said in a release on Tuesday (21 September).

These reforms include -Aadhaar based e-KYC; self-KYC and OTP (one-time password)-based conversion of mobile connection from Prepaid to Postpaid and vice-versa.

Customer consent has been made compulsory in case the Aadhaar is being used and demographic details are being obtained electronically from UIDAI, the ministry said.

The government said it aimed to promote "contactless service" and "ease of doing business" so that a subscriber does not have to visit a store with documents to get a mobile connection or make any changes to his service, reports Economic Times.

Accordingly, following orders for immediate implementation have been issued by DoT to implement contactless, customer centric and secured KYC processes:

1. 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.

2. 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 door step using documents electronically verified by UIDAI or DigiLocker.

3. 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.