ET is reporting that the Operators in India have been fined over 42 crores so far for flouting Subscriber Verification norms when issuing new SIM Cards. This is basically to discourage operators from issuing new connections based on Fake Identity.
Over 42 crs has been imposed as fine on operators from June 2008 to Nov 2009.
The list of operators include
BSNL, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communications, Vodafone, Tatas, Dishnet group, MTNL, Spice Communications, Reliance Telecom, BPL, HFCL Infotel, Sistema-Shyam
The government has received a lot of flak for banning sale of PrePaid cards in Jammu and Kashmir.
Currently the fine is a Rs 1,000 per violation of subscriber verification.
DoT had introduced a graded penalty system in April under which operators pay Rs 50,000 per subscriber if more than 20 per cent of their user base is without valid identity documents.
With so many new players entering the telecom space in India, such norms are going to make life tough new comers.
Image Credit : ukfreesims