Government Orders Telecom Firms to Block SIM Issuance Beyond Nine Limit

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed telecom service providers to stop issuing new mobile connections to subscribers who already have the maximum permitted nine SIM cards registered in their name. The directive, issued through an official circular dated August 17, requires telecom operators to put technical and organisational measures in place from August 24 to identify customers seeking additional connections and prevent them from exceeding the prescribed limit.

Under the new instructions, telecom companies will have to identify subscribers attempting to obtain a mobile connection after reaching the nine-SIM limit. Such customers must be informed that they have already reached the maximum number of connections allowed to an individual and that another mobile connection cannot be issued. The measure is intended to ensure that the prescribed limit is enforced at the point when a subscriber attempts to obtain an additional SIM.

The DoT has instructed telecom service providers to use the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), which was established by the department and contains subscriber information uploaded by telecom operators. The platform will help companies identify individuals who have already obtained mobile connections beyond the prescribed limit. The department said information on such subscribers is already available on the DIP for operators to use in enforcing the rules.

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The circular also states that a representative image of subscribers who have already reached the permitted limit will be made available on the Digital Intelligence Platform from August 23. This is expected to assist telecom operators in identifying customers and checking their existing mobile connections before processing requests for additional SIM cards. The DoT has asked operators to streamline the process through the platform and complete the required measures by November 30.

Until the new systems are fully implemented, telecom operators have also been instructed to take immediate action against connections activated beyond the prescribed limit. According to the directive, any mobile connection activated beyond the permitted limit during a day will have to be suspended immediately until the issue is resolved, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Customer Application Form.

The latest directive is aimed at strengthening monitoring of mobile connections and preventing subscribers from accumulating SIM cards beyond the permitted limit. By requiring telecom operators to check subscriber records through the Digital Intelligence Platform, the government intends to ensure that additional connections are blocked once the prescribed threshold is reached. The measures will come into effect from August 24, with operators expected to complete the broader technical and organisational arrangements by the end of November.

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