Sim Card Rules News Today

The legislation is meant to protect and benefit the consumers, Union telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had stressed during its drafting stage. Heres a look at how this bill intends to achieve the objective.

Once voted into law, the Telecom Bill 2023 will replace three laws—the Indian Telegraph Act of 1885, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1950. It will also amend the TRAI Act, 1997, without diluting the regulator’s powers.

The Telecommunications Bill 2023, which has been tabled in Parliament, excludes over-the-top services, such as online messaging and streaming services, from its purview.

New sim card rules will be applicable from December 1, including barring sale of bulk sim cards and mandatory registration of PoS agents and distributors.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will implement new SIM card rules from December 1, 2023. The govt announced the rules in August this year but postponed its implementation to December 1.

The new SIM card rules are part of a widespread crackdown on SIM cards or phone numbers that are used for fraudulent activities. Take a look at the new rules here.

The central government on Thursday announced new rules for SIM verification, discontinuing the provision of issuance of bulk connection, and making verification mandatory for dealers selling SIM cards.