DoT Caps Mobile SIMs at 9: Telecom Firms Told to Reject New Requests
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed telecom service providers to stop issuing new mobile connections to individuals who already hold nine SIM cards in their name. The instruction, issued through an official circular, is aimed at enforcing the existing limit on the number of mobile connections a person can have.
According to the circular dated August 17, telecom operators must implement technical and organisational measures from August 24 onwards to identify subscribers seeking a connection beyond the prescribed limit. Once identified, the subscriber must be informed that they have already reached the maximum permissible number of mobile connections and cannot be issued a new one.
The DoT has asked telecom companies to use its Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) for this purpose. The DIP is a central system that consolidates subscriber data uploaded by telecom operators. It already contains details of subscribers who have crossed the limit, the circular noted.
To make identification easier, the DoT will make available a representative image of the photo of each such subscriber on the DIP starting August 23. This will help telecom operators verify the identity of a person at the point of sale and prevent them from bypassing the limit.
The move is part of the government's broader efforts to curb fraud and misuse of mobile connections. By restricting the number of SIMs a single person can hold, the DoT aims to reduce instances of fake or multiple connections being used for illegal activities such as phishing, cyber fraud, and other criminal acts.
Under existing rules, an individual is allowed to hold up to nine mobile connections. The new directive reinforces this limit by requiring operators to proactively block new activations for those already at the ceiling.
The DoT has given telecom operators time until November 30 to fully integrate their processes with the DIP. Until then, operators must follow a post-facto verification mechanism. If a connection is activated beyond the prescribed limit, even for a day, it will be immediately suspended until the issue is resolved, according to the terms and conditions of the Customer Application Form (CAF).
This regulatory step is expected to streamline subscriber management and ensure stricter compliance. Telecom operators are now required to act swiftly to set up the necessary technical checks and coordinate with the DIP to avoid legal and operational complications.
The directive comes amid growing concerns over the misuse of mobile connections for unlawful purposes. By enforcing the existing cap, the DoT aims to strengthen the integrity of the telecom network and protect citizens from identity-related fraud.
