• By Aditya Pratap Singh
  • Fri, 22 Dec 2023 03:33 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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New Telecom Bill 2023: The Telecom Bill, 2023, which was passed in both houses of parliament this week, is set to bring significant change in the process of getting new mobile numbers. The bill will become a law once it gets the President's assent.

The bill stipulates that the identity required to purchase mobile SIM cards will be 'biometric'. Currently, biometric identification for KYC purposes is based only on the individual's Aadhaar number. Consequently, it is reasonable to assume that a person without an Aadhaar may not be able to purchase a new SIM card, as per a report of ET.

The process of getting a new mobile number involves providing your Aadhaar number and getting biometric authentication. It should be noted that the new law will also apply biometric authentication to existing mobile number users.

The exact rule for buying Sims will be notified

The exact details of the biometric authentication system and the telecom services affected will be known only after the rules are set, but it is currently known that Aadhaar is the only proof of identity for biometric authentication. As a result, Aadhaar will soon become mandatory for mobile SIM card holders, says an ET report.

Below are 5 biggest impacts of Telecom Bill 2023

  • If a person Obtaining a SIM or other telecommunication resource by fraud, he shall be punishable with imprisonment up to three years and a fine of RS 50 lakh.
  • The new Telecom Bill includes provisions for offences related to sim card spoofing or cloning. The major telecom operator has warned their subscribers against cloning SIM cards.
  • As per the bill, now consent of customers required to send advertisements/promotional messages.
  • Press messages of correspondents accredited to the Central or State Governments shall not be intercepted or detained unless their transmission is prohibited under the provisions of public emergency and public order.
  • Telecom Bill, 2023 makes it mandatory for telecom operators to capture verifiable biometrics data while providing a new connection.

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