"In a major step towards achieving this objective,
the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Government of India... issued a series of orders simplifying the KYC processes and thereby initiating the telecom reforms announced by the Cabinet on 15.09.2021," said the government in a statement on Tuesday.Presently, 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.
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. The Cabinet last week had included the moves telecom relief package and reforms to improve digital connectivity.
Amongst the first reforms is Aadhaar-based KYC wherein the demographic details along with picture of the customer is received online by the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which administers Aadhaar.
Customers will have to pay Re 1 for the process of authentication through Aadhaar-based e-KYC services of UIDAI for getting new mobile connections, according to the new rules.
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 pictures of the customer are received online by the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) from the UIDAI.
Self-KYC
In this process, the issuing of mobile connections 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 doorstep using documents electronically verified by UIDAI or DigiLocker.
Conversion of mobile connection from Prepaid to Postpaid and vice-versa via OTP authentication
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.
Currently, to obtain a new mobile connection or conversion of mobile connection from prepaid to postpaid or vice-versa, a subscriber has to undergo the KYC process that entails a visit to the retail shop along with the original documents of identity and address proof.
