Delhi, Aug 20: Telecom operators will have to strictly enforce the existing limit of nine mobile connections per individual from August 24, with the Department of Telecommunications directing service providers to prevent subscribers who have already reached the ceiling from obtaining additional SIM cards.
Under the new directions, telecom service providers must put in place technical and organisational measures to identify subscribers seeking connections beyond the permitted limit and inform them that they cannot be issued another mobile connection. The requirement applies across telecom operators and licensed service areas.
The Department has also directed customers to declare in the Customer Application Form the mobile connections already registered in their name across different telecom operators and licensed service areas.
The move builds on existing instructions issued on August 9, 2012, under which an individual can hold a maximum of nine mobile connections across all telecom service providers and licensed service areas in the country.
The ceiling is lower in certain regions. Subscribers in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North-East are permitted to hold a maximum of six mobile connections.
According to the DoT, information on subscribers who have already obtained connections beyond the prescribed limit is available through its Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP). The department has also established a mechanism to help telecom companies identify customers who have reached the permitted ceiling.
From August 23, the DIP will make available a representative image of the photograph of each subscriber who has already reached the prescribed limit. The platform uses subscriber information submitted by different telecom companies, enabling operators to identify individuals who have reached the upper limit of nine connections.
The directions also provide for action against connections activated beyond the permitted limit before a telecom operator fully implements the required technical and organisational measures.
According to the DoT circular, until such measures are implemented on a post-facto basis, any mobile connection activated beyond the prescribed limit during a day must be immediately suspended. The suspension will continue until the issue concerning the subscriber crossing the permitted limit is resolved, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Customer Application Form.
The department has also clarified that the respective Licensed Service Areas will act as the competent authorities for deciding issues arising from implementation of the instructions.
The latest directions effectively place the responsibility on telecom operators to identify subscribers who have reached or exceeded the permitted number of mobile connections and prevent further issuance.
The government has directed telecom companies to ensure compliance with the existing SIM limits as the new enforcement measures come into effect from August 24.
