Elevating India's Telecom: Digitization & Customer Security

Elevating India’s Telecom amid rapid digitalization, utilization of resources, including mobile services, surges for online access. This surge in digital connectivity is a catalyst for social, economic, and transformative progress. Given this context, the secure and responsible use of telecom resources becomes imperative to ensure the safety of mobile users.

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Government’s Pledge to Digital Inclusion: Elevating India’s Telecom

In line with the Government of India’s commitment to creating an inclusive digital society while prioritizing security and customer well-being, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister of Communications, Railways, and Electronics & IT, has introduced two pivotal reforms aimed at driving digital transformation and enhancing customer protection.

Elevating India’s Telecom: Revolutionizing KYC Reforms

Strengthening Customer Protection through KYC Reforms

Elevating customer protection remains a cornerstone of the government’s initiatives. The Know Your Customer (KYC) process, a fundamental aspect of safeguarding telecom service subscribers from potential fraud, is undergoing substantial improvements.

Fortifying Identity Verification

To reinforce the existing KYC process, steps are being taken to ensure the unique identification of customers before granting them access to telecom services. A notable measure involves capturing demographic details by scanning the QR code on the printed Aadhaar card. This measure is designed to thwart the misuse of Aadhaar information and enhance overall customer data security.

Preventing Misuse and Enhancing Accountability

To discourage misuse, a disconnected mobile number will remain unallocated to a new customer for a period of 90 days. Furthermore, replacing a SIM card will necessitate a complete KYC procedure, accompanied by a 24-hour restriction on outgoing and incoming SMS facilities. The inclusion of facial-based biometric authentication complements the existing authentication methods like thumb impressions and iris-based authentication in the Aadhaar E-KYC process.

Business Connections and KYC

Additionally, the introduction of business connections for entities such as companies, organizations, trusts, and societies has been proposed. Entities can procure multiple mobile connections, contingent on a comprehensive KYC process for all end-users. Activation of these SIMs is subject to the successful KYC of end-users and the physical verification of the entity’s premises/address.

Elevating India’s Telecom: Transformative Point-of-Sale Registration Reforms

Eradicating Unscrupulous Point-of-Sale (PoS) Entities

Another reform centers around the Point-of-Sale (PoS) registration process. This reform mandates the obligatory registration of Franchisees, Agents, and Distributors (PoS) by Licensees. This proactive step is aimed at eliminating rogue PoS entities involved in fraudulent practices, such as issuing SIM cards to anti-social or anti-national elements.

Robust Registration Procedure

The PoS registration process introduces a foolproof verification of PoS entities by Licensees, accompanied by written agreements between the PoS and Licensees. In case a PoS entity engages in any unlawful activities, it faces termination and blacklisting for up to three years. All existing PoS entities are required to undergo registration as per this process within a 12-month timeframe.

Elevating India’s Telecom: Sanchar Saathi’s Impact: Safeguarding Mobile Users

Empowering Mobile Subscribers through Sanchar Saathi

The ‘Sanchar Saathi’ portal, launched on World Telecommunication Day (17 May 2023), empowers mobile subscribers by enabling them to:

Identify mobile connections registered under their name.
Report any deceitful connections registered using their identity.
Report lost or stolen mobile handsets for immediate blocking.

Driving Results with Sanchar Saathi

The ‘Sanchar Saathi’ portal, along with the ASTR tool, has yielded remarkable outcomes:

Detection of over 66 lakh suspected mobile connections.
Disconnection of over 52 lakh mobile connections due to re-verification failure.
Blacklisting of more than 67,000 Points of Sale (PoS) entities.
Blocking of around 17,000 mobile handsets.
Registration of over 300 FIRs against more than 1,700 rogue PoS entities.
Blocking of more than 66,000 WhatsApp accounts linked to fraudulent activities.
Freezing of approximately 8 lakh bank and wallet accounts used by fraudsters.

Addressing Customer Concerns

The initiative has made significant strides in addressing customer concerns:

Resolution of around 9.26 lakh out of 18 lakh complaints regarding fraudulently registered mobile connections.
Tracing of approximately 3 lakh mobile handsets out of 7.5 lakh complaints related to stolen or lost devices.

Conclusion: Elevating India’s Telecom

The Department of Telecommunications remains unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding citizens’ interests. Through transformative reforms and comprehensive measures, the department aims to enhance customer security and counter the escalating threat of telecom fraud. By merging cutting-edge technology with vigilant oversight, the department is steadfast in creating a telecommunications landscape characterized by safety and trust, ensuring a secure and dependable communication environment for all.

Priti Palit

Priti Palit, an accomplished edtech writer, boasts a wealth of experience in preparing candidates for multiple government exams. With a passion for education and a keen eye for detail, she has contributed significantly to the field of online learning. Priti’s expertise and dedication continue to empower aspiring individuals in their pursuit of success in government examinations.

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