Union Minister of Communications, Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, reformed the telecom norms with an aim to provide world class internet and tele-connectivity for the marginalised section in the country. As per reports, this is a major step taken by the government towards achieving this objective.
Announcing the same, the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Government of India, issued orders which simplify the KYC process eventually initiating the reforms announced on September 15, 2021.
As per the current process, one has to undergo KYC process by visiting the Point of Sale and presenting the original documents, identity and address as proof before obtaining a new mobile connection or conversion of accounts from Prepaid to Postpaid or vice-versa. However, online services and delivery have become a new norm and has been accepted well by the public where services today are being offered online using the One Time Password (OTP).
Keeping this in mind, contactless services were promoted during COVID pandemic and were also convenient both for users and service providers, as it promoted ease of doing business. Considering these aspects, following orders were issued and implemented immediately which will further push the contactless and secured KYC process
The statement released by the concerned ministry mentioned, "Aadhaar based e-KYC process has been re-introduced for issuing of new mobile connections. Telecom Service Providers will be charged INR 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."
"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," the report added with regards to Self-KYC process.
OTP based conversion process has been implemented as well which will enable one to convert the mobile connection from and to Prepaid or Postpaid, at the convenience of the location