If you’re planning to get a new SIM card, there’s important news for you. Starting January 1, 2024, telecom companies will issue SIM cards with new regulations. The government is set to implement new rules for buying and selling SIM cards through the new Telecommunications Bill to curb the rising cases of online scams.
New Rules from January 2024: With the new year just around the corner, there is little time left. In 2023, many cases of scams, spam, fraud, and online cheating came to light. Now, in the new year, the government has prepared to tackle all of these issues. The government has introduced a new Telecommunications Bill with strict regulations for buying and selling SIM cards. The new rules for purchasing SIM cards will come into effect from January 1, 2024. Buying a SIM card will not be as easy as before.
With the increasing number of smartphone users in India, cases of online fraud and scams have also risen rapidly. The government is now taking strict measures against this. New rules for purchasing SIM cards will be implemented from the new year. The new bill clearly states that if someone buys a fake SIM card, they could face a three-year jail term and a fine of up to 50 lakh.
Biometric Details Mandatory: The new Telecommunications Bill instructs telecom companies to mandatory collect data from every customer purchasing a SIM card through biometric means. Strict action can be taken against anyone who purchases a fake SIM card.
Digital KYC for SIMs: From January 1, 2024, only digital Know Your Customer (KYC) processes will be used to provide SIM cards in the country. Not only that, but there has also been a significant change in the verification system. SIM vendors’ verification has also been made mandatory. After the new year, SIMs will not be provided in bulk to anyone. However, this rule will not apply for commercial purposes.
Registration Mandatory for Dealers: Under the new rules for buying and selling SIM cards, registration for telecom franchisees, SIM distributors, and point-of-sale agents will be mandatory. If a dealer overlooks the new telecom rules, they may face a hefty fine of up to 10 lakh.
