DoT sends 'national security reminder' to Airtel and Reliance Jio after they announce plans to home deliver mobile SIMs

The Department of Telecom (DoT) has reportedly sent an important reminder on KYC (Know Your Customer) to two of the country's biggest telecom companies -- Airtel and Reliance Jio. According to a report in Economic Times, DoT objected to the idea of customers undertaking self-KYC authentication on national security grounds. In a letter dated, April 16, Reliance Jio informed DoT secretary Neeraj Mittal that it too planned to start quick home delivery of SIM cards from April 25, similar to the Airtel-Blinkit initiative. Airtel recently partnered with quick commerce company Blinkit to offer express delivery of mobile SIM cards to homes in just 10 minutes. Airtel customers were being charged a Rs 49 convenience fee for the premium service.DoT objected to the idea of mobile users doing self-KYC (know-your-customer) authentication after getting home delivery of SIMs or ‘mobile connections’ on security grounds. The telecom department asked the two companies to ensure that all proper Aadhaar-based know-your customer (KYC) authentication is done before giving any new SIMs. “The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked Bharti Airtel to ensure that the Aadhaar-based know-your customer (KYC) authentication exercise is concluded before the actual delivery of SIM cards at customer homes, in keeping with current government regulations,” said the ET report quoting a person aware of the matter.Along with this, DoT has also asked all the telecom operators to make sure that Aadhaar based self-KYC customer authentication is done before delivering an active SIM card to customers’ home. As a result of this directive Reliance Jio has also put its plan of quick delivery of SIM cards on hold.“Airtel’s initiative enhances customer convenience in spirit with the government’s policy for adopting customer-friendly processes. We shall also be launching a similar initiative with effect from April 25,” Jio said in its letter, a copy of which was seen by ET.Airtel has put its service on hold after DoT's concern. Airtel is learnt to be reviewing its SIM card home delivery service offering and is reworking its schedules after ensuring regulatory compliance on self-KYC. “Airtel will comply with DoT regulations but will definitely restore the home delivery service for the convenience of its customers,” a person aware of the matter said. However, the actual delivery period is likely to get longer as the self-KYC process for new customer acquisitions will henceforth have to be done in advance.