Technology · India Bureau
India caps mobile SIM cards at nine per person, DoT orders telecom firms
India's Department of Telecommunications has directed mobile operators to restrict new SIM card issuance to customers already holding nine connections. Telecom companies must implement technical controls from August 24 to enforce the limit.
LSN India ·
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued fresh directives to all telecom service providers to deny new mobile connections to subscribers who already possess nine active SIM cards. The measure aims to curb the proliferation of multiple connections held by single individuals and prevent misuse of the telecom infrastructure.
Telecom operators have been mandated to establish technical mechanisms to identify and block SIM applications from individuals exceeding the nine-connection threshold. These systems must be fully operational from August 24 onwards, giving companies a defined timeline for implementation across their networks.
The move reflects concerns over SIM card accumulation practices that have been linked to fraudulent activities, including spam calls, financial scams, and unauthorized services. By capping individual holdings, authorities seek to enhance accountability in the telecom ecosystem while maintaining legitimate access for regular users.
Operators are required to cross-reference their databases to ensure compliance, checking whether applicants already hold active connections across different telecom networks. The directive applies uniformly across all major and smaller telecom service providers operating in India, creating a standardized regulatory framework for SIM distribution.